The emerging technologies of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CAVs) are both foreseen to undergo a dramatic growth in the near future. Many local administrations are currently fostering innovation by addressing technical challenges towards EVs massive deployment, particularly regarding the charging infrastructure and the grid (diffusion and standardization of charging plugs and communication protocols and upgrade of the electrical system to meet the increased power demand). However, by failing to account for the disruptive impact that the diffusion of CAVs might have in a very near future, they risk to largely invest in EV-based fast obsolescing territorial infrastructures and to later lack the capability to address the possibly radically different needs created by a wide diffusion of CAVs.

To support urban and regional institutions to steer the transition towards ECAVs, EVA aims at exploring innovative territorial infrastructures capable of effectively supporting these emerging technologies in road mobility.