The Urban Fleet Electrification (UFE) project has successfully concluded with its final roundtable in London, marking the completion of the first Europe Delivers platform project, selected by members as the collaboration initiative for 2024/25. This initiative explored innovative solutions to decarbonise European cities by developing integrated and efficient electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.
Beyond box-ticking: Taking the long view on urban electrification
The UFE project originated from a critical observation: large EV charging infrastructure investments rarely consider the total life cycle impact of investments, risking sustainable investments becoming mere regulatory box-ticking exercises, e.g. for the upcoming 2030 Fit-for-55 interim targets. To address this shortcoming, the project adopted a perspective reaching well beyond typical 2030 targets to ensure that the proposed solutions are future-fit and resilient in the face of evolving urban mobility and customer demands.
Through a series of thought partnership workshops, the project brought together public- and private-sector decision-makers, industry and academic experts, and local stakeholders to explore potential future scenarios impacting urban mobility in Rotterdam. These scenarios examined the complex interplay of energy accessibility, affordability, and power infrastructure requirements needed to support evolving transportation requirements and citizen lifestyles.
Four futures: Mapping the possibilities
In the workshops, we developed four distinct scenarios to help stakeholders explore barriers and solutions in several potential futures:
1. Black Panther: The renewable energy success story
Energy is affordable and accessible due to an ambitious rollout of renewable power and largescale adoption of load balancing technologies.
2. Mad Max: The high-cost, high-inequality scenario
Those that can afford a high cost of energy and to invest in low carbon technologies (e.g. EVs) are able to make the switch, but average consumers are priced out and forced to reduce their energy use.
3. The Great Gatsby: Affordability without accessibility
Energy is affordable due to strong government subsidy, but consumers face bottleneck in accessing low carbon technologies, including EV chargers, due to strains on the energy grid and delays in connection.
4. The Day After Tomorrow: The dual crisis
The dual challenges of energy access and affordability create significant divides within the Rotterdam populace, hindering the goals of the city and demanding strong intervention from governments.
Emerging solutions: A framework for scalable EV adoption
In response to these scenarios, the UFE project identified three innovative solutions already emerging in the market that show significant potential for scaling. These approaches could effectively mitigate grid strain and accelerate the transition to EV adoption across key consumer segments if properly supported and expanded:
1. Social housing microgrid
This solution aims to democratise access to EV charging for low-income residents by integrating solar energy, battery storage, and vehicle-to-grid (V2G)-enabled chargers in social housing developments. By creating resilient, decentralised energy supplies, this approach reduces electricity and charging costs for lower-income residents while providing stable energy during peak demand periods.
The microgrid model enables communities that traditionally lack charging infrastructure to benefit from locally produced renewable energy, previously available only to homeowners. Smart systems and flexible tariffs incentivise charging during off-peak hours, further reducing strain on the grid.
2. Automated valet charging scheme
This innovative service addresses the challenge of insufficient residential charge points by employing smart, user-focused charging optimisation. The system collects vehicles and transports them to available, cost-effective, and grid-friendly chargers based on user preferences set through a mobile app.
“DNOs have an approach to new grid connections and novel solutions which is somewhat conservative… because it’s additional risk. We must find solutions to increase their comfort,” noted one workshop participant, highlighting the need for distribution network operators to embrace innovation.
3. B2B park and ride superhub network
Designed specifically for fleet operators, these shared charging hubs provide reliable charging access outside urban centres. The solution is particularly valuable for smaller businesses facing vulnerability to charging disruptions due to high costs or unreliable infrastructure.
“A lot of commercial operators we speak to find that electricity contracts for their fleets are all over the place. They’ve probably grown faster than they wanted to, and now they’re realising that their cost per kWh isn’t what they expected. There’s an investment opportunity for those who can help them,” remarked one participant.
The path forward
The insights from the UFE project are now being developed into a comprehensive playbook that will provide European cities and businesses a clear roadmap to accelerate the transition to emissions-free mobility. By fostering regulatory support, technological advancements, and strategic partnerships across sectors, the project aims to create an inclusive, cost-effective, and sustainable EV ecosystem accessible to all citizens. This integrated approach to urban mobility solutions represents the core philosophy behind the UFE project—looking beyond isolated solutions to develop comprehensive strategies that address the complex challenges of urban fleet electrification.
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