Emilia-Romagna institutions get a first-hand look at the future of sustainable freight transport in Bologna
Bologna, XX July 2026 – Gruber Logistics welcomed representatives of the Emilia-Romagna Region, the Municipality of Bologna, and key logistics sector stakeholders to its site at the Bologna Interporto on the occasion of the launch of the six-month road demonstration of the battery-electric truck prototype developed within the European EMPOWER project. Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, EMPOWER represents one of the most ambitious initiatives in Europe for the decarbonisation of heavy-duty road transport.
During the visit, the delegation was able to observe the vehicle in operation, take part in a test drive, and explore the technological innovations that characterise the prototype, as well as the ways in which it will be deployed across the Emilia-Romagna territory. The initiative provided an important opportunity for dialogue between technological innovation and regional strategies on sustainable mobility, bringing institutions closer to the practical challenges of transitioning to zero-emission freight transport.
The trial, launched in July 2026, will continue until the end of the year and will allow project partners to validate both the vehicle and the charging ecosystem required for its operation under real-world operating conditions.
The event was attended by Irene Priolo, Regional Minister for Environment, Spatial Planning, Mobility, Transport, and Infrastructure of the Emilia-Romagna Region; Michele Campaniello, Councillor for New Mobility, Infrastructure, Local Public Transport, Città 30, and Road Safety of the Municipality of Bologna; Andrea Babbi, President of Fondazione Istituto sui Trasporti e la Logistica (ITL); Andrea Bardi, Director General of ITL; Stefano Caliandro, President of Interporto Bologna; and Giuseppe Dall’Asta, CEO of Interporto Bologna.
Emilia-Romagna: a testing ground for future transport technologies
Coordinated by the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT), the EMPOWER project brings together major industrial, logistics, and research partners, including IVECO, Gruber Logistics, and numerous European organisations, with the aim of developing and validating highly efficient modular solutions based on battery-electric and hydrogen propulsion for long-haul freight transport.
Within the project, Gruber Logistics is responsible for real-world testing of the first electric prototype in Emilia-Romagna. In addition to assessing performance, the demonstration will analyse all elements required for the rollout of this technology, including charging infrastructure, operational planning, and regulatory aspects.
Developed within the EMPOWER project, the prototype combines IVECO’s electric platform with the operational expertise of Gruber Logistics. The vehicle was designed specifically for swap body transport and features a dedicated chassis that protects the batteries and key electrical components, while ensuring the flexibility required by modern logistics operations.
One of the most innovative aspects of the Bologna trial concerns the operational context in which the vehicle will be deployed. Unlike most electric trucks currently on the road, which are generally used on fixed routes with Full Truck Load (FTL) shipments, the prototype will be integrated into the GRUBER Logistics Less-than-Truckload (LTL) network. In this logistics model, shipments from different customers are consolidated at a cross-docking terminal, then sorted and distributed to their respective final destinations. The trial will make it possible to gather concrete data on the integration of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles within complex logistics operations, while ensuring high service standards and operational efficiency.
Marco Chiffi, Branch Manager at GRUBER Logistics Bologna, stated:
“The territorial context of the Bologna metropolitan area represents one of the most complex challenges for reducing freight transport emissions. This trial will enable us to evaluate the operational performance of new technologies in the field and understand their contribution to our long-term decarbonisation strategy. We are proud to test this prototype right here in Bologna and to make a tangible contribution to the development of sustainable freight transport for the future.”
The prototype offers a range of up to 300 kilometres in the five-battery configuration and up to 400 kilometres with seven batteries. It is also designed for high-power fast charging up to 350 kW, depending on infrastructure availability.
Alongside the vehicle, charging infrastructure also plays a crucial role. At its Bologna site, GRUBER Logistics has installed a 44 kW mobile charger for overnight charging between operating shifts, complementing the public charging infrastructure already present within the Bologna Interporto. Together, these solutions will enable the project partners to assess how heavy-duty electric vehicles can be reliably integrated into daily logistics operations, gathering valuable evidence for future large-scale rollout.
Anyone wishing to learn more about the EMPOWER project can find further information here.
Bologna: a European testbed for sustainable logistics
During the meeting, the increasingly central role of Bologna as a European testbed for experimenting with new sustainable logistics solutions was also highlighted, through additional EU-funded research projects in which GRUBER Logistics participates. Among these is SHIFT2ZERO, a Horizon Europe initiative that will test an innovative urban logistics model based on a transshipment hub in Bologna and the deployment of new refrigerated electric vehicles for last-mile distribution, further consolidating the city’s role as a European benchmark for zero-emission logistics.
Collaboration as a driver of transition
The event also represented an important opportunity to discuss the key ongoing challenges for the large-scale deployment of zero-emission freight transport, including the development of charging infrastructure, the evolution of the regulatory framework, and the adaptation of logistics models.
Through its participation in leading European research and innovation projects, GRUBER Logistics continues to collaborate with institutions, industrial partners, and research bodies to turn technological innovation into concrete solutions, helping to strengthen Bologna’s role as a strategic European hub for the future of sustainable freight transport.