This deliverable will define how scientific and technical (S&T) activities will be managed and monitored throughout the project, including all design, development, prototyping, technology assessment, testing, and validation activities. This will be completed to affirm that the S&T content is of high quality. The project will be managed and monitored using work packages (WPs), tasks (Ts), deliverables (Ds) and milestones (MSs) defined in the ZEvRA Grant Agreement (GA) as well Consortium Agreement (CA). To accomplish this target, ZEvRA’s consortium will utilize various means to identify deviations in a simple manner and allow robust follow-up approaches. This document will provide a clear handbook of procedures and practical guidelines to enable the S&T of the project for all partners. It provides guidance regarding the planning and development of deliverables and identifies contractual rules and management procedures relevant to the technical management of the project as well as both internal and EC level reporting. The management structure related to S&T activities will be presented, as well as the procedures used to ensure appropriate monitoring of technical progress. This is in alignment with the procedures in the risks’ identification plan (D7.3, D7.4 and D7.5).

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The deliverable D6.1 Marketing basics is part of Work Package 6- Communication and Dissemination which aims to increase awareness of the ZEvRA EU project by means of a coherent visual identity and by identifying audiences for disseminating successes and results and communicating project developments and news. This document explains and shows the visual identity of ZEvRA including a colour palette and logos as well as fonts and templates. Three marketing materials for print were developed and are available on the website: a flyer, a brochure and a banner. A project website has been set up at www.zevraproject.eu and is presented in chapter 4.

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The pressing need posed by the global environmental challenges and the resource-intensive nature of the automotive industry, emphasizes the urgency for a harmonized design for circularity Methodology to foster sustainability and to diminish end-of-life wastage. This report introduces the methodological framework and the management plan of its application to ZEvRA’s project. ZEvRA’s methodological framework outlines an iterative circular design approach built upon the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework. Through training and interactive workshops, stakeholders will exchange ideas, provide feedback, and assist in the de5inition and alignment of the DfC strategies and specific actions.

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The deliverable defines the quality and risk management process during ZEvRA project implementation. This is to ensure the consistent quality of all project outputs, in order to fully meet the commitments (objectives and deliverables) made in the Grant Agreement. The document includes a risk assessment plan to identify potential deviations or setbacks during the entire project execution and prepare recovery actions, whenever needed. Quality and risk management should be implemented continuously throughout the project, based on the target definition and initial risk assessment carried out during the design phase.

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Given the pressing need to address environmental challenges and promoting sustainability, circular economy has risen as a crucial strategy. The 9R framework, provides a comprehensive approach to implementing circular economy practices in various industries. Moreover, given the automotive industry’s significant role in the global economy and its major contribution to environmental impacts due to its resource-intensive manufacturing processes and high levels of waste generation, embracing circular economy principles, particularly the 9R framework, becomes essential for reducing the automotive industry’s footprint.

This deliverable introduces the Harmonised Circularity Assessment (HCA) developed by EURECAT to assess circularity at the product level. The HCA-tool aggregates circular, environmental, economic and social spheres’ indicators (CEES-indicators; a preliminary list is given in this document), to obtain a final numerical value, which enables a benchmarking exercise among the evaluated products. This holistic life cycle sustainability assessment extends beyond environmental concerns, encompassing a broader sustainability perspective.

The key point of HCA is data transformation, which entails converting a raw data source, the CEES-indicators values for each of the products analysed, into a ready-to-use format which enables their processing and integration. This conversion process involves a polarity transformation followed by a scaling process and a rating process. Through a standardize evaluation and comparison of alternatives, the HCA-tool serves as a critical decision-support tool to enhance circular performance-based strategies.

The application of the HCA methodology in ZEVRA’s solutions can greatly contribute to reducing their environmental impact, promote sustainability and align these solutions with circular economy goals. This deliverable describes in detail the methodological framework and implementation plan for the HCA-tool, emphasizing its sustainability benefits within the automotive industry.

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As the automotive industry faces pressing environmental challenges, the need to transition towards a more sustainable and circular economy, becomes more critical. This report underscores the practical application of the ZEvRA Design for Circularity (DfC) Methodology established in D1.1, to identify viable circular approaches for ZEvRA use cases and define concrete actions that enhance the circularity and sustainability throughout the use cases lifecycle.

D1.1 provided a methodological framework that in addition with the 9R strategies aims to foster more sustainable and circular performance throughout the EV lifecycle. As part of the DfC process, a series of workshops has been conducted to facilitate the collaboration between project partners and apply Step 3: Re-adaption of Technological Procedures to Selected Strategies and Step 4: Selection of Concrete DfC Actions and Conceptualized Design of the methodology. 

Building on the foundational work established in D1.1, through the application of the ZEvRA Design for Circularity Methodology, this report presents the insights collected from the two workshops corresponding to steps 3 and 4 of the methodology. The first workshop assessed the feasibility of the application of the different 9Rs to ZEvRA use cases, while the second workshop provided a platform for collaboration, enabling a brainstorming on the specific DfC actions for each use case. From the first workshop it can be concluded that the most feasible strategy in most use cases is R8 Recycling, though R2 Reduce is also considered somewhat feasible as well. The second workshop included the use of AI to optimize resource use, the standardization of design and material classes as well as an increased use of secondary materials to reduce dependency on primary resources.

This report concludes the first iteration of ZEvRA’s DfC Methodology, establishing a foundation for the continued refinement, in collaboration with all ZEvRA’s consortium, in pursuit for a more sustainable and circular EV.

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This Awareness and Acceptability Report presents the foundational work carried out under Task 5.1 to advance the awareness and acceptability of circular economy (CE) principles and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)-based design for zero-emission solutions in road transport. Despite the
increasing relevance of circularity in sustainable manufacturing, knowledge gaps persist, particularly within the industrial workforce, where only a fraction of employees are familiar with CE concepts. ZEvRA aims to bridge this gap through a structured awareness and acceptability
program that engages key stakeholders, strengthens human capital in research and innovation, and provides specialised training to facilitate the adoption of CE practices.

A structured methodology was applied to assess the current state of CE awareness and acceptance. The report first provides a state-of-the-art (SOTA) analysis, examining existing policies, training programmes, industry initiatives, and best practices to establish a comprehensive understanding of CE education and workforce development. This is followed by an in-depth identification of gaps and barriers hindering the integration of CE principles in the automotive sector, with a particular focus on technical, economic, regulatory, and organisational challenges. Key barriers identified include the necessity for recycled materials to meet stringent performance standards, the limited and inconsistent supply of high-quality secondary materials, economic constraints affecting cost competitiveness, and integration challenges within design and production processes. Broader systemic challenges, such as consumer perceptions, aesthetic limitations, and logistical costs,
further complicate the transition toward circularity.

To address these barriers, a multistep approach has been carried out. The first step involved conducting targeted interviews with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and Original Equipment Services (OES) to gather industry-specific insights into the feasibility of CE innovations and the factors limiting their adoption. The second step, which is currently in progress, will involve a broader survey of industry and academia to validate and deepen the findings from the interviews. Based on this analysis, concrete measures will be developed to facilitate the implementation of CE innovations, focusing on regulatory alignment, technical integration, economic incentives, and workforce upskilling. A key component of this approach will be the creation of tailored communication and awareness tools, including newsletters, symposiums, presentations, and digital learning platforms, designed to engage stakeholders and increase the visibility and acceptability of CE solutions.

The work described in this report establishes the framework for ongoing efforts in Task 5.1. The findings from the interviews and surveys will inform the next phase, where targeted strategies will be refined and tested in real-world applications. The development of structured evaluation mechanisms will allow for continuous assessment of the effectiveness of awareness and training measures, ensuring that the project remains adaptive to industry needs and policy developments. This deliverable represents a key milestone in advancing circularity in the automotive sector by providing a structured, data-driven foundation for stakeholder engagement, workforce training, and the large-scale implementation of sustainable innovation.

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This report details the design and development of the ZEvRA project’s training platform, a comprehensive Learning Management System (LMS) built on the open-source Moodle platform. The platform is designed to support the project’s goal of enhancing the circularity of light-duty electric vehicles across their entire value chain. 

Key features of the platform include:

• User-friendly interface with customizable roles and permissions
• Robust content management system supporting various media formats
• Flexible course creation tools with templates and guidelines for educators
• Assessment and feedback instruments for tracking learner progress
• Multilanguage support and accessibility features
• Communication tools to facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing
• Comprehensive reporting capabilities for administrators and educators

The platform employs modern training methodologies, including Connectivism and Instructional Design, to ensure effective knowledge transfer and skill development. It caters to a diverse audience, including automotive professionals, researchers, students, and citizens.

By providing a centralized, scalable, and cost-effective solution for delivering educational content, the ZEvRA training platform plays a crucial role in upskilling the automotive workforce and disseminating project findings. Its open-source nature and easy maintenance ensure long-term sustainability beyond the project’s duration, contributing to ongoing professional development in the automotive sector.

This report outlines the platform’s structure, management features, and pedagogical approach, demonstrating its alignment with the project’s objectives and its potential impact on advancing sustainable practices in the automotive industry.

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The deliverable D6.2 Plan for dissemination including communication activities (first version) is part of Work Package 6- Communication and Dissemination which aims to increase awareness of the ZEvRA Horizon Europe project by means of a coherent visual identity
used on the project website, social media channels and physical marketing materials. D6.2 identifies audiences for disseminating successes and results and communicating project developments and news.

Communication measures in ZEvRA contribute to making the project visible and help explain it to various audiences in order to spread knowledge about circularity in the automotive field, particularly among the general public, media, academia, industry, policy makers.

Dissemination measures describe project results and enable their use and take-up by audiences such as academia, industry and policy makers.

This document describes communication and dissemination measures to be undertaken during the project runtime. Social media channels used include LinkedIn, X and YouTube. Target groups of dissemination measures are identified and concrete activities explained.

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The deliverable D6.3 Plan for Dissemination, including Communication Activities (second version) represents one of the tasks within Work Package 6-Communication and Dissemination. The objective of this work package is to disseminate information about the ZEvRA project and to foster awareness and acceptance of circularity in the automotive sector. 

Communication measures are employed to disseminate project developments and results to a wider audience. To this end, a website was developed, printed marketing material was created, press releases and a general presentation were published, and various social media channels were set up, such as LinkedIn, X, or YouTube, through which the latest news can be disseminated. 

In contrast, Dissemination strategies are described to address specific target groups and deliver targeted project results to academic audiences, industry sectors or policymakers. The planned dissemination strategies included the publication of scientific articles, the attendance of conferences and trade fairs, and the conducting of physical workshops and virtual training sessions. A concluding event is also scheduled to take place at the conclusion of the project.

This deliverable provides an overview of the project’s status at the 11-month mark and offers insights into planned future Dissemination and Communication strategies, which will be implemented at a later stage of the project.

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ZEvRA aims to enhance vehicle material circularity, enabling zero-emission vehicles. It will achieve this through four stages: identifying design use cases, guiding technology development, translating requirements into design strategies, integrating technology to TRL5 with zero virgin
materials, and transitioning to circular manufacturing. Collaboration with stakeholders is essential to address regulatory and logistical challenges in the vehicle manufacturing sector.

Task 6.2, “Exploitation of Innovations and Circular Business Models,” focuses on creating a viable exploitation strategy, guiding the consortium toward maximizing the project’s most promising Key Exploitable Results (KERs). This deliverable identifies ZEvRA’s exploitable results and presents
the methodology that will be followed for strategizing the KERs and align project outcomes with broader societal and economic impacts.

Three deliverables will be elaborated to report the results of T6.2 (D6.6, D6.7, D6.8) and the present document at Year 1 describes the process that will be followed to do so as well as the first outcome of such process. In this sense, the exploitation strategy of ZEvRA will utilise the Horizon Results Booster initiative. The Horizon Results Booster will help ZEvRA maximise the impact of its results. As well as the results booster, the results will take into consideration the EXPLOITT® methodology developed for H2020 and validated by the European Commission. EXPLOITT® is a methodology for industrial exploitation and take-up developed by IK4-IDEKO in the FOCUS EUProject. The methodology is based on four phases: A) technology assessment, B) business plan, C) competitive intelligence activities and D) clustering activities. The methodology will generate the
inputs required by the Horizon Results Booster.

Phase A on technology assessment is integrated by two parts. The first one addresses the technology identification, in which 15 KER project results are identified at proposal stage. These KERs will then, in D6.7 and D6.8, be further characterised and later prioritised. A second part focus on evaluating the technologies behind the most important KERs. The identification of results is done based on the KERs identified at proposal stage and the further characterisation is done for those with a potential to be exploited by using specific templates that were shared with the ZEvRA
partners. After the characterisation, all partners will participate in an upcoming workshop in which a prioritisation exercise is done based on the innovativeness of the result, exploitability level, and the impact in industry. The 3-5 most important KERs will be fully evaluated with regards ground identification, contribution-benefits matrix, patents analysis, competitors’ analysis, market research, IPR and exploitation claims, standardisation process, and risk assessment. After this evaluation, dedicated business plans will be developed. The version of this deliverable at M24 and M36 will include the findings arising from the prioritisation exercise and the further business models creation.

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In the 7.3 (Quality and Risk Management plan 1st version) deliverable the project partners defined the process of quality and risk identification, assessment and evaluation implemented during ZEvRA project for ensure the consistent quality of all project outputs, in order to fully meet the
commitments (objectives and deliverables) made in the Grant Agreement. The document includes the Risk Register initial version, with the identified risks, their possible affects, owners, ranking and measures to diminish the negative impacts.

The risk owners actualize the table every two month and the Technical Board monitoring those
during its meeting.

Because during the first period of the project, the used process proved suitable and usable, there
is no need to modify.

The up-to date Risk Register indicate the recent risks and respond plans to mitigate the identified risks.

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The ZEvRA project generates a substantial amount of data, necessitating a robust Data Management Plan (DMP) to ensure effective data handling throughout the project’s lifecycle. This DMP is designed to align with the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable), Horizon Europe guidelines, and EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Key focuses include data security, Gender Dimensions, ethical considerations, and clear allocation of resources and responsibilities among partners.

The DMP, presented initially at the sixth month (M6) of the project, is a dynamic document that will be updated annually to incorporate new developments and necessary revisions. This ensures continuous alignment with best practices and project needs.

The DMP is structured into seven comprehensive chapters:

• Chapter 2 (Introduction) Introduces the DMP and its structure
• Chapter 3 (Data Summary) Summarises for each of ZEvRA´s work packages an overview of the data to be collected, detailing the purpose, types, formats, origin, expected volume, and potential stakeholders.
• Chapter 4 (FAIR Data) explains how ZEvRA will manage all data to ensure the FAIR principles.
• Chapter 5 (Allocation of Resources) estimates the resources needed and identi7ies data management responsibilities.
• Chapter 6 (Data Security) explains the data security strategy applied in ZEvRA, including the securing storage solutions employed.
• Chapter 7 (Ethical Aspects) explains the ethical considerations related to the data collected/generated.
• Chapter 8 (Gender Dimension) explains the actions that will be undertaken to ensure fair treatment to all genders.
• Chapter 9 (Conclusion) summarizes the DMP and outlines forthcoming steps regarding data control and the project’s data management plan.

This DMP is essential for maintaining data integrity, security, and accessibility in the ZEvRA project. By adhering to the outlined protocols, the project aims to ensure that all data-related activities are conducted in a secure, ethical, and ef7icient manner, supporting the overall success and sustainability of the project.

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The ZEvRA project generates a substantial amount of data, necessitating a robust Data Management Plan (DMP) to ensure effective data handling throughout the project’s lifecycle. The First DMP, which is deliverable 7.6 laid the groundwork for ZEVRA´s compliance with FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable), Horizon Europe guidelines, and EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), as well as data security, Gender Dimensions, ethical considerations, and clear allocation of resources and responsibilities among partners. These sections are not repeated and if requested we refer the reader to the first deliverable (D7.6).

This DMP version describes the DMP improvements and results so far. It is structured into 4 chapters:

• Chapter 2 (Data Summary) Summarises for each of ZEvRA´s work packages an overview of the data to be collected, detailing the purpose, types, formats, origin, expected volume, and potential stakeholders.
• Chapter 3 (Open science practices) Describes what has been done during the first year of the project with regards ZEVRA’s results and outcomes.
• Chapter 4 (Allocation of Resources) Estimates the resources needed and identifies data management responsibilities.
• Chapter 5 (Conclusion) summarizes the DMP and outlines forthcoming steps regarding data control and the project’s data management plan.

This DMP is essential for maintaining data integrity, security, and accessibility in the ZEvRA project. By adhering to the outlined protocols, the project aims to ensure that all data-related activities are conducted in a secure, ethical, and efficient manner, supporting the overall success and sustainability of the project.

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