Three European companies, ALICE, Einride, and Gruber Logistics, have joined the new EURIAS expert group, which is looking into the future of research and innovation in the European Union’s automotive sector. The group’s first meeting took place on March 27, 2026 in Brussels. This development highlights that logistics is no longer just a downstream function in automotive innovation, but plays a central role.
EURIAS, acronym for European Union Research and Innovation for the Automotive Sector, brings together about 60 organizations, including automobile manufacturers, suppliers, research and technology institutions, as well as universities. The group aims to strengthen the competitiveness of the European automotive sector and identify key themes for the future.
Role of ALICE in the expert group
ALICE, the Alliance for Logistics Innovation through Collaboration in Europe, plays an essential role in promoting strategic research and implementing innovations within EURIAS. The organization brings its experience from major European initiatives such as 2ZERO, CCAM, and the European Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance (ECAVA). These initiatives aim to advance 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 decisive step to ensure that European innovations in the automotive field reach the market and are fully integrated into real logistics processes and systems.” He highlights that integrating logistics into discussions on research and innovation in the automotive sector helps to translate technological ambitions into practical solutions for decarbonization and automation of road freight transport.
Einride and Gruber Logistics: Perspectives for the future
Einride, a company specializing in autonomous and emission-free transportation, brings valuable insights on new truck technologies to the group. Henrik Green, Chief Technology Officer at Einride, says: “The freight transport sector in Europe is at a decisive turning point. Through EURIAS, Einride is committed to integrating autonomous and electric technologies into the continent’s transport policy.” The company plans to share its experience in large-scale deployment of emission-free 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, and Sustainability at Gruber Logistics, states: “We leverage our experience in managing complex and international supply chains to ensure that innovations are practical and ready for deployment.” Through this participation, Gruber Logistics reaffirms its commitment to actively contribute to shaping the future of the automotive industry at the EU level.
The expert group has clearly defined missions: it supports the European Commission by providing practical expertise on research and innovation priorities throughout the automotive industry value chain. Additionally, the group will work until June 2026 on a Strategic Research, Innovation, and Deployment Agenda (SRIDA) that will serve as the basis for future EU instruments.
The recommendations developed within EURIAS are expected to be implemented in the next European multiannual financial framework (2028–2034). This will help promote long-term innovation and competitiveness in the European automotive sector.
[Context: European companies collaborating on research and innovation in the automotive sector through a new expert group.]
[Fact Check: The meeting took place on March 27, 2026 in Brussels.]
