E-VOLVE Cluster goes TRA 2026

The Transport Research Arena (TRA) 2026, held in Budapest under the inspiring theme “Re-Generation in Transport” brought together researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and innovators from across Europe and beyond to discuss the future of sustainable mobility.

For the E-VOLVE Cluster, the event once again highlighted the importance of collaboration, interdisciplinary thinking, and knowledge exchange in accelerating the transition towards cleaner, smarter, and more efficient transport systems.

TRA entrance

A Platform for Innovation and Collaboration

Over four days of discussions, presentations, and networking, TRA 2026 showcased the breadth of innovations shaping the future of mobility. From vehicle electrification and software-defined mobility to sustainability strategies and regulatory frameworks, the conference demonstrated that addressing tomorrow’s transport challenges requires cooperation across disciplines, sectors, and industries.

The event served as an excellent platform for exchanging ideas and exploring how research and innovation can contribute to achieving Europe’s ambitious mobility and climate goals across several sectors, including automotive, railways, maritime, and aviation.

Showcasing the E-VOLVE Cluster

Panel talk at the TRA 2026

The E-VOLVE cluster’s TRA 2026 contribution provided insights on the market situation, roadmaps, trends, and stakeholder segments addressed by ten R&D projects (CliMAFlux, EFFEREST, EM-TECH, HEFT, HighScape, HiPE, MAXIMA, SmartCorners, Voltcar, and SCAPE). The E-VOLVE cluster poster initiated valuable and engaging discussions with researchers, technology developers, and industry stakeholders, providing an opportunity to showcase the cluster’s contributions to next-generation electric mobility solutions and to gather feedback from the wider transport research community. Special thanks go to Giulia Moscone and Florian Ratz, presenting the posters from SmartCorners (“From Electrification on Component-Level to Software-Defined Vehicles: The Role of Modular Smart Corner Systems in Next-Generation Electric Vehicle Architecture“) and the E-VOLVE cluster (“A comprehensive exposition of the market situation, roadmaps, trends, and stakeholder segments in a pivoting automotive industry: Insights from ten E-VOLVE cluster R&D projects“), respectively, and Eric Armengaud for representing the E-VOLVE Cluster in a special session moderated by Lucie Beaumel (EGVIA).

Giulia at the SmartCorners poster and Florian with the E-VOLVE Cluster Poster

Open-minded Cross-sectoral Innovation Action

While automotive innovation remains a key driver of the mobility transition, one of the most valuable aspects of TRA 2026 was the opportunity to engage with experts from a wide range of transport domains.

These cross-sector conversations underscored a key lesson: many of the solutions needed for sustainable transport will emerge not from isolated innovation, but from sharing knowledge and experiences across different modes of transport.

TRA Logo at the event

Looking Ahead

TRA 2026 reinforced the value of collaboration, openness, and cross-sector dialogue in shaping the future of mobility. The event provided fresh perspectives, inspiring discussions, and new opportunities for cooperation that will continue to support the work of the E-VOLVE Cluster and its projects.

We are looking forward to the TRA 2026 conference proceedings, which will include the E-VOLVE Cluster and SmartCorners full papers.

The research leading to these results have received funding from European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme H2020 and Horizon Europe.

Special credit is to be given to the project ACHILES (824311) under the lead of VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT BRUSSEL for the initial setup and continuous management of the E-VOLVE Cluster between 2018 and 2022. Thanks a lot for the efforts and initiative that is highly appreciated.

Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). Neither the European Union nor the funding authority can be held responsible for them.