ZEV-UP partner ICOOR presented its latest research at the 2025 International Conference on Vehicle Technology and Intelligent Transport Systems (VEHITS) held in Porto, Portugal, from 2 to 4 April 2025.

Paulo Cantillano Lizana (ICOOR) presented a paper titled “Readiness for Small-Sized Parking Policies: A Path to Sustainable Urban Mobility”, co-authored with Giulia Renzi (ICOOR). The paper studies the level of readiness of European countries regarding the implementation of parking policies that prioritise compact vehicles, taking into account demand.

Current parking infrastructure in most cities tends to favour standard-sized, four-wheeled vehicles, contributing to car-centric urban development. However, with compact vehicles gaining popularity, recent policies now aim to allocate space more efficiently. This includes reserving parking for smaller vehicles as part of broader efforts to reclaim urban space. Encouraging small vehicle parking can promote more sustainable mobility patterns. The study found that clear guidelines, proper signage, and running public awareness campaigns. Such measures are essential for ensuring the effectiveness of such policies.

By developing ultra-compact, affordable, and user-centric vehicles, ZEV-UP directly supports the shift towards more sustainable urban mobility. As the paper points out, prioritising compact vehicle parking can reduce congestion, enhance accessibility, and align with broader sustainable urban development goals.