ALICE, Einride and Gruber Logistics together to drive the future of research and innovation in the European automotive sector
Brussels, Belgium – April 2026 – Three of the most innovative players in the European transport and logistics landscape – ALICE, Einride, and Gruber Logistics – have joined EURIAS, the new expert group established by the European Union to define future research and innovation priorities for the automotive sector. Their participation in the first meeting, held in Brussels on March 27, 2026, marks a significant shift: logistics is no longer a secondary element along the supply chain, but is becoming a central pillar of automotive innovation.
EURIAS, an acronym for “European Union Research and Innovation for the Automotive Sector”, brings together around 60 organizations including automotive manufacturers (OEMs), suppliers, research centers, and universities.
Within the group, ALICE plays a strategic role in promoting research and innovation. Drawing on the experience gained in major European initiatives such as 2ZERO, CCAM, the European Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance (ECAVA), and cross-border trials under the Automotive Action Plan, ALICE helps steer logistics innovation in line with the transformation of the entire automotive sector.
Fernando Liesa, Secretary General of ALICE, stated:
“EURIAS represents a crucial step in ensuring that European automotive innovation translates into concrete solutions and finds full application in real-world logistics operations. Placing logistics at the heart of the European debate means turning technological ambitions into practical, competitive solutions capable of supporting the decarbonization and automation of road freight transport.”
Einride, a pioneer in autonomous and zero-emission freight transport, brings to the group the perspective of next-generation technologies for heavy-duty transport. Its presence ensures that the most advanced, forward-looking solutions remain at the core of the EURIAS agenda.
Henrik Green, Chief Technology Officer at Einride, commented:
“Freight transport in Europe is at a decisive turning point. Through EURIAS, Einride is committed to collaborating with European stakeholders to integrate autonomous and electric technologies into transport policies right from the start. We contribute concrete, large-scale tested expertise in the development and deployment of autonomous and zero-emission freight transport, helping define a regulatory and innovation framework that strengthens Europe’s role as a global leader in sustainable logistics.”
“The transformation of the European automotive sector can only succeed through close collaboration between institutions, research, industry, and logistics,” states Andrea Condotta, Director of Public Affairs, Innovation & Sustainability at Gruber Logistics. “We provide our expertise in managing complex, international supply chains to make innovations truly viable, scalable, and market-ready.” Through its participation, Gruber Logistics reaffirms its commitment to actively shaping the future development of the automotive sector at the European level.
The expert group has a clear mandate: to support the European Commission by providing tangible expertise on research and innovation priorities across the entire automotive value chain, and identifying strategic themes to boost the sector’s competitiveness. The work will lead to the definition of the Strategic Research, Innovation and Deployment Agenda (SRIDA) by June 2026.
The recommendations set out in the SRIDA will then be implemented through the upcoming European Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034), helping to shape future EU instruments, including the next Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (FP10) and the European Competitiveness Fund, to support long-term innovation, technology adoption, and industrial competitiveness.