EURIAS aims to integrate logistics into automotive innovation

Three European companies, ALICE, Einride, and Gruber Logistics, have joined the newly established expert group EURIAS, which focuses on the future of research and innovation in the automotive sector of the European Union. The first meeting of the group took place on March 27, 2026, in Brussels. This development highlights that logistics is no longer merely a downstream function in automotive innovation but plays a central role.

EURIAS, which stands for European Union Research and Innovation for the Automotive Sector, comprises around 60 organizations, including car manufacturers, suppliers, research and technology institutions, and universities. The group aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the European automotive sector and identify key future topics.

Role of ALICE in the Expert Group

ALICE, the Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe, plays a crucial role in promoting strategic research and implementing innovations within EURIAS. The organization contributes experiences from major European initiatives such as 2ZERO, CCAM, and the European Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance (ECAVA). These initiatives aim to drive the transformation of the automotive sector and develop innovative logistics solutions.

Fernando Liesa, Secretary General of ALICE, emphasizes the importance of EURIAS: “EURIAS is a critical step to ensure that Europe’s innovations in the automotive sector reach the market and are fully integrated into real logistics processes and systems.” He highlights that integrating logistics into discussions about research and innovation in the automotive sector helps transform technological ambitions into practical solutions for the decarbonization and automation of road freight transport.

Einride and Gruber Logistics: Perspectives for the Future

Einride, a company specializing in autonomous and emission-free transport, brings valuable perspectives on new truck technologies to the group. Henrik Green, Chief Technology Officer at Einride, states: “The European freight transport sector is at a crucial turning point. Through EURIAS, Einride is committed to ensuring that autonomous and electric technologies are integrated into the continent’s transport policy.” The company intends to share its experiences in the large-scale deployment of emission-free, autonomous freight transport to create a suitable regulatory and innovation framework.

Gruber Logistics also emphasizes the need for close collaboration between policymakers, researchers, and industry. Andrea Condotta, Director of Public Affairs, Innovation & Sustainability at Gruber Logistics, says: “We bring our experience in managing complex, international supply chains to ensure that innovations become practical and ready for deployment.” With this involvement, Gruber Logistics reaffirms its commitment to actively shaping the future of the automotive industry at the EU level.

The expert group has clearly defined tasks: it supports the European Commission by providing practical expertise on research and innovation priorities across the entire value chain of the automotive industry. Additionally, the group will work on a Strategic Research, Innovation, and Implementation Agenda (SRIDA) until June 2026, which will serve as the foundation for future EU instruments.

The recommendations developed within EURIAS are intended to be implemented in the next European multiannual financial framework (2028–2034). This will help promote long-term innovation and competitiveness in the automotive sector in Europe.

www.etp-alice.eu / www.einride.tech / www.gruber-logistics.com