The European Commission has released a Joint EU Vision on Research and Innovation (R&I) to strengthen the technological competitiveness of the automotive sector, as part of the EU Action Plan for the Automotive Industry adopted in 2025. The document sets out how Europe wants to keep high‑value activities such as batteries, power electronics and software inside the EU, at a time when production is shifting and global competition is increasing.
At its core, the vision asks that all automotive R&I maximise impact in three areas: economic prosperity, environmental sustainability and societal benefit. This means projects are expected to reinforce industrial leadership and technological sovereignty, support climate and circular‑economy goals, and deliver safer, more affordable and inclusive mobility, aligned with Vision Zero for road safety. These priorities mirror the ambitions of MAXIMA, which aims to develop advanced, efficient and reliable vehicle technologies with clear pathways to real‑world deployment.
Clean and digital mobility at the heart of MAXIMA
The document defines three main technology clusters to guide future funding agendas: clean mobility, digital and connected mobility, and large‑scale innovation flagships. Clean mobility covers vehicle‑oriented batteries, high‑efficiency electrified powertrains, advanced power electronics, smart charging and circular design for remanufacturing and recycling. MAXIMA’s work on improving efficiency, reducing costs, addressing critical materials and considering durability and recyclability positions the project squarely within this clean mobility pillar.
Digital and connected mobility focuses on Software‑Defined Vehicles, AI‑enabled functions, system engineering for connected and automated vehicles, V2X communication and cybersecurity. Wherever MAXIMA develops advanced control strategies, digital monitoring, predictive maintenance or interfaces between vehicle and infrastructure, the project contributes to this digital transformation of road transport and helps ensure that new clean technologies deliver their full benefits in operation.
From research to industrial impact
A strong message in the vision is the need to shorten the path from research to industrial scale‑up and market deployment, with development cycles reduced by 40–50%. To achieve this, the EU calls for large‑scale demonstrations, pilot lines, regulatory sandboxes and “mobility flagships” that bring together industry, research and public authorities. MAXIMA’s demonstrator‑driven approach, its close collaboration with industrial partners and its focus on validating solutions under realistic conditions align well with this flagship logic and with the call for integrated, impact‑oriented projects.
By explicitly linking its objectives and results to the priorities set in the Joint EU Vision – clean and efficient powertrains, digital and AI‑enabled functionality, and rapid transfer to industry – MAXIMA can show that it is not just a research project, but a key building block in Europe’s broader strategy for a competitive, climate‑neutral and people‑centred automotive ecosystem.