e-motion

What it does

Through the implementation of automated plug-in charging arms and 10-minute full-charge capability, our solution addresses the reducing CO₂ emissions challenge, while maintaining operational efficiency, directly supporting the EU 2030 agenda.

Your inspiration

This project came from an idea developed in the European Hackathons 2025 in Paris, where we were asked to think about logistics that could solve the problems of transporting goods. Using technology that is already in one for “human” transportation, we thought why not enhance it and translate it also for the transportation of goods using now abandoned areas such as for example the warehouse in Lyon or the one in Venice, we then thought, rather than doing one more thing, which would have required energy, excessive investment, and probably would have caused more pollution: how can we make the best use of what we already have?

How it works

This project proposes a bold shift in freight transportation by adapting TOSA technology, originally developed for electric buses, to the trucking industry. As the pressure grows to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet the European Union’s 2030 sustainability agenda, freight logistics must evolve. Our solution offers a way forward by enabling ultra-fast-charging electric trucks, eliminating the need for diesel in short-haul transport between logistics hubs, rail terminals, and urban centers. The heart of the innovation lies in the use of automated electric arms that allow trucks to connect and fully recharge in as little as ten minutes at strategically placed supply stations. This system eliminates long charging times, ensuring seamless operations and minimal downtime. Unlike traditional catenary infrastructure, TOSA charging stations are more modular, easier to deploy, and visually unobtrusive, making them ideal for urban and industrial areas.

Design process

The project began with the broad goal of solving one of today’s major challenges in logistics: reducing CO₂ emissions in urban freight transport. The team initially focused on improving last-mile delivery using existing urban infrastructure such as subways and bicycles to move goods in a more sustainable way. However, during early research and feasibility analysis, several limitations were identified: Subways are not designed for freight, and retrofitting them would be costly and logistically challenging. Last-mile solutions, while important, do not address longer-haul urban and regional transport. 2. Realizing that the most impactful transformation would come from decarbonizing medium-range logistics, the focus shifted from last-mile solutions to the "first-mile to warehouse" corridor, where trucks still dominate. 3. Technology Exploration & Feasibility: Exploration of green technologies that could realistically power trucks in industrial corridors. TOSA stood out because: It is contact-based, not continuous like trolley lines.nOffers ultra-fast charging using automated robotic arms. Can be applied to trucks without large-scale infrastructure modification. 4. How this technology could be integrated into existing logistics zones and infrastructure 5. Business Model Definition

How it is different

This project sets itself apart from existing logistics solutions by integrating cutting-edge technology with a sustainable and economically viable model. While many freight systems still rely on diesel trucks or slow plug-in charging, we propose the adaptation of TOSA to power electric freight trucks. This allows for rapid recharging without the need for overhead catenaries, offering a more flexible and less invasive infrastructure solution. Unlike traditional systems that focus on isolated improvements, this project builds a multimodal logistics corridor that connects rail terminals, ports, and urban warehouses. It reuses existing but underutilized infrastructure, minimizing construction costs and environmental impact. By linking these nodes with a reliable and fast-charging electric truck network. Ultimately, this project doesn’t just offer a cleaner way to transport goods; it presents a practical, scalable alternative to the current model

Future plans

Our immediate goal is to consolidate the current pilot zones—Parc International de Chesnes in France, Mestre rail junction in Venice, and APM Terminals Maasvlakte II in Rotterdam—into a connected European freight corridor. These strategic hubs will form the backbone of a trans-European network where electrified trucks powered by TOSA systems can move seamlessly between rail terminals, warehouses, and ports. This corridor will help create the conditions necessary for a modal shift from diesel-heavy road transport to electric multimodal freight, while preserving flexibility and reliability for logistics providers.

Awards

This project won't the European Hackaton edition of 2025 in Paris