A significant milestone for the European Union (EU) took place earlier this month, confirming the new College of the European Commission to begin its mandate in December 2024. This is a significant step forward for Europe, and ERTICO is looking forward to the positive impact this leadership will have on shaping the future of transport and mobility policies.
ERTICO also extends its warm congratulations to President Ursula von der Leyen and the newly appointed Vice-Presidents and Commissioners as they embark on their mandates. Their leadership will be instrumental in advancing sustainable, innovative, and inclusive initiatives in the field of transport and mobility across Europe. Their vision and strategies will be essential for advancing ERTICO’s collaboration with its Partnership and continue delivering initiatives focusing on innovation in the field of smarter, safer and more sustainable mobility solutions. Among many appointments, there were several key priorities addressed that align with ERTICO’s ambitions and goals:
Apostolos Tzitzikostas, Commissioner for Sustainable Transport & Tourism, during his hearing, emphasised the necessity for innovation and disruptive technologies, using driverless vehicles as an example, and highlighted the strategic importance of the automotive sector. He stressed the significance of the data economy, particularly with the ITS Directive and the key role of vehicle data. He also underscored the importance of adhering to the timetable for green and digital transitions in the transport sector, confirming current decisions on subsidies for Chinese EVs while emphasising the need to protect the EU industry. He committed to completing the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) by the established deadlines to enhance connectivity across Europe. Additionally, he announced plans to present a sustainable transport investment plan in 2025, focusing on decarbonisation solutions such as sustainable fuel production and charging infrastructure development. Tzitzikostas also showed commitment to introducing a single digital booking and ticketing option for rail within the first year of his mandate, along with a renewed proposal for MaaS through a revised MDMS regulation across transport modes.
Henna Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President for Tech Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, during her address, emphasised the importance of advancing ITS to improve traffic management, reduce congestion, and enhance road safety across Europe. She highlighted the need for robust 5G infrastructure to support connected and autonomous vehicles, which are crucial for the future of smart mobility. She underscored the role of technology in achieving sustainable mobility solutions, including the integration of electric vehicles and smart grid technologies. Virkkunen called for increased collaboration between public authorities and private companies to drive innovation in the transport sector. She also emphasised the need for Europe to become more self-sufficient in critical technologies, especially in light of recent global political changes. Virkkunen highlighted the importance of enforcing the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA) to ensure fair and open digital markets. She discussed overseeing the implementation of the EU’s artificial intelligence strategy to address risks and accelerate investment in AI.
Stéphane Séjourné, Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy, during his address, highlighted the importance of supporting innovation in the transport sector, particularly through increased funding and incentives for research and development. He discussed the integration of sustainable practices in the transport industry, including the promotion of electric vehicles and alternative fuels. Séjourné stressed the importance of developing digital infrastructure to support intelligent transport systems (ITS) and connected vehicles. He called for stronger collaboration between public authorities and private companies to drive advancements in transport technology. Séjourné mentioned the need for a clear and supportive regulatory framework to facilitate the deployment of new transport technologies across Europe. Additionally, he emphasized the need for a robust industrial strategy to enhance Europe’s competitiveness in the global market.
Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, emphasised her commitment to fostering innovation across Europe. She plans to introduce a European Innovation Act to support startups and scale-ups. Zaharieva proposed a European Research Area Act to facilitate the free movement of researchers, scientific knowledge, and technology within the EU. She highlighted the importance of unlocking high-value technologies to support the EU’s green and digital transitions. Zaharieva will aim to attract more investors to the European startup ecosystem and scale up successful ventures. She emphasized the importance of working closely with EU member states to ensure that innovation policies are effectively implemented across the region. She proposed increasing funding opportunities for startups through the European Innovation Council and other EU programs. The Commissioner highlighted the need to strengthen public-private partnerships to drive innovation and research.
During her hearing, the Executive Vice-President for Clean, Just, and Competitive Transition, Teresa Ribera Rodríguez emphasised the importance of maintaining the European Green Deal to meet climate targets and proposed a new European Climate Adaptation Plan to enhance resilience against extreme weather events. She highlighted the need for early warning systems and improved response capacities. Ribera is also committed to supporting industrial decarbonisation and promoting a just transition. Her approach to competition policy reform, aimed at simplifying state aid rules and fostering innovation, could significantly impact the development and deployment of ITS technologies across Europe
Wopke Hoekstra, Commissioner for Climate, Net Zero and Clean Growth in his hearing, stressed the urgency of climate action and the role of free-market solutions in achieving net-zero emissions. He underscored the importance of integrating climate policies with economic growth, which resonates with ERTICO ITS Europe’s mission to advance sustainable and intelligent transport solutions. Hoekstra’s commitment to enhancing the EU’s competitiveness through innovation and digitalisation is particularly relevant for the ITS sector, as it relies heavily on cutting-edge technologies and data-driven approaches. His focus on clean growth and the transition to a net-zero economy aligns with the goals of reducing emissions and improving energy efficiency in transportation.
As a thought leader in ITS, ERTICO plays a key role in driving cutting-edge solutions that enhance mobility, safety, and sustainability across Europe. Our collaborative approach, bringing together public and private stakeholders, ensures that we are at the forefront of technological advancements by leveraging the extensive network of expertise and facilitating knowledge-sharing platforms, including the ITS Congresses, an annual landmark event which aims to raise awareness of smart mobility solutions among policy-makers, experts, thought leaders, academics, researchers and the general public. The next ITS European Congress will be hosted in Seville, 19-21 May 2025, offering a unique occasion to network, discuss and share expertise, and innovative initiatives, and promote new business ideas.
ERTICO and its Partners are committed to working closely with the new Commission and look forward to continuing to deliver impactful solutions that enhance mobility and connectivity across Europe with many opportunities ahead!
Access all the Commissioners-designate here.
