The 2nd Electric Road Systems & Sustainable Smart Logistics Conference was successfully held from July 14 to 15 at the International Campus, Zhejiang University. Focusing on the zero-carbon transition in road freight and innovation in smart logistics, the conference brought together leading scholars and industry experts from around the world—including representatives from the University of Cambridge, the Research Institute of Highway, Ministry of Transport, TRATON China, Tongji University, and Zhejiang University. Co-hosted by Zhejiang University and the University of Cambridge, co-organized by the Zhejiang Federation of Artificial Intelligence and the Technical Committee on Vehicle Control and Intelligence, and hosted by the Zhejiang University–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute (ZJUI), the event aimed to promote a sustainable transportation system that integrates economic growth, environmental responsibility, and social well-being.
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During the keynote session, Zhou Wei from the Research Institute of Highway, Ministry of Transport emphasized that electrifying freight transport equipment is a core strategy for achieving transportation decarbonization. He proposed a systematic model combining "zero-carbon freight vehicles + green power infrastructure + intelligent operations and maintenance." Mats Harborn, Chief Representative of TRATON China, drew from Scania’s global experience to highlight the challenges and opportunities of freight electrification, underscoring the essential role of Electric Road Systems (ERS). Professor Yang Qiang from Zhejiang University examined smart planning and scheduling for EV infrastructure through the lens of transportation-energy integration. Professor David Cebon from the University of Cambridge provided a comprehensive analysis of heavy-duty vehicle electrification pathways—including battery swapping, hydrogen fuel cells, and ERS—arguing that ERS offers superior energy efficiency and scalability, making it a key solution for long-distance freight decarbonization.
In the roundtable forum, the four keynote speakers engaged in a dynamic discussion on breakthrough technologies and future directions in freight electrification and sustainable smart logistics. Topics included advancements in dynamic wireless charging, smart logistics management, collaborative green supply chains, policy frameworks, and cross-sector collaboration. Their exchange of ideas sparked meaningful insights and encouraged innovative thinking across disciplines.
Two parallel sessions were held alongside the main conference: one on Electric Road Systems, chaired by Professor Xiao Xiang Na from the University of Cambridge; the other on Sustainable Smart Logistics & Intelligent Vehicle Technologies, chaired by Professor Hong Jinlong from Tongji University. Experts from the Research Institute of Highway, Ministry of Transport, the University of Edinburgh, Zhejiang University, Siemens Mobility, Kunming University of Science and Technology, and other leading institutions delivered presentations on ERS system testing, mobile charging for heavy-duty trucks, autonomous driving vision models, and carbon credit mechanisms in urban logistics. The sessions featured vibrant exchanges among academia, industry, and policymakers, reaching early consensus on key issues such as technology commercialization, standardization, and supportive policies.
As a major international academic platform in the fields of road freight electrification and smart logistics, the successful convening of this conference has added new momentum to global efforts toward low-carbon, intelligent transportation. It also highlights Zhejiang University’s leadership in promoting sustainable mobility and fostering deep integration between academia and industry. Looking ahead, the Zhejiang University–University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Institute (ZJUI) will continue partnering with institutions worldwide to drive innovation and explore forward-looking, sustainable solutions for the future of transportation.
