The EU is among the world’s biggest producers of motor vehicles and the sector represents the largest private investor in research and development. Currently, around 12 million people work in the EU automotive industry and it accounts for 4% of European GDP. Global sales of passenger cars in 2017 hit 77.7 million vehicles and these numbers are expected to grow. Compared to 2005, freight and passenger transport activity are projected to increase around 80% and 51% respectively by 2050. However, these numbers come with a cost on air pollution, human health and on energy dependency. Air pollution is a risk to health and to the environment. In the coming decades, road transport is likely to remain a large contributor to air pollution, especially in urban areas. Furthermore, according to the Paris Agreement, there is the need to drastically reduce world greenhouse gas emissions with the goal for the EU to reduce emissions by 80–95% below 1990 levels by 2050. In addition transport has become more energy efficient but still depends on oil for 96% of its energy needs. The European Commission has more than doubled the funds available for collaborative research and innovation in the road transport sector for the period 2014-2020. The funding covers areas such as Green Vehicles, automation, safety, and smart mobility. The aim is to decarbonise transport, reduce air pollution, increase efficiency of the transport system and preserve the EU’s technological leadership in the automotive sector. INEA is responsible for the implementation of a wide road transport project portfolio. This portfolio constitutes a showcase at European level, demonstrating the value of collaborative research and innovation.