The bi-annual gathering of the ESCALATE consortium took place on 20 and 21 May 2025 at the premises of the Technical Research Centre of Finland (VTT). Since the project is starting its final stage, various discussion points related to the existing challenges of the pilots, TCO and LCA calculations, digital twins, refuelling, -charging and powertrain solutions, as well as joint actions related to communication, took place. The consortium dinner offered time to talk shop and continue discussions.
The project meeting was opened by Petri Söderena, VP Transport Technologies at VTT, who emphasised the significance of ESCALATE and its potential for a greater impact on the European decarbonisation efforts – a big step towards a new era.
The first day of the gathering was dedicated to the pilot updates, a helpful exercise for understanding and discussing several minor alterations related to vehicle components, routes, and timelines. Especially the connection between the Finnish pilot and the site visit of the VTT laboratory premises helped to visualise the truck rollout.
These exchanges were followed by work package updates on the second day, which included the topics of digital twinning, powertrains, refuelling- and charging solutions, as well as talks about the calculation methods of the total cost of ownership and lifecycle analysis.
One can conclude that even though the size of the ESCALATE consortium can create administrative challenges, the diversity of partners allows the project to engage in various forums. ESCALATE can provide its expertise and project results to promote decarbonisation of road transport, whether during the upcoming working group meetings of the AEVETO cluster, or as part of the ongoing discussions of megawatt charging ISO standards, which are supported by the German Institute for Standardisation (DIN).
ESCALATE project coordinator Servais Ouenou Gamo (FEV) drew a conclusion after the meeting and highlighted ‘we can have a positive outlook towards the upcoming months. Our discussions about the pilots and the related challenges were very encouraging’.
Site visit of the VTT laboratory
As the hosts of the meeting, VTT extended an invitation to interested partners to tour its facilities and laboratories prior to the consortium gathering. Among the highlights were the battery and heavy-duty vehicle laboratories, where the Helsinki-based non-profit organisation showcased its research capabilities and instrumentation. These included thermal imaging cameras, hydrogen fuel cell and battery testing equipment, all housed within secure environments to ensure safety and precision. The visit provided an in-depth look at the range of tools and techniques used by VTT in their scientific work.
The organisation also demonstrated performance tests using artificially altered hydrogen to replicate impurities, alongside test beds designed for battery management systems. Whether undertaken as part of EU-funded projects such as ESCALATE or commissioned by third-party clients from Finland, the breadth of research carried out within the laboratories illustrates the extensive capabilities of VTT’s facilities. The visit highlighted not only the technical expertise of the staff but also the diverse applications supported by the institution’s cutting-edge infrastructure.
