European Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance (ECAVA)

Main purpose

The overall objective is to coordinate and accelerate technological developments and investments in software-defined, AI powered, connected and autonomous vehicle technologies as defined in the Alliance Terms of Reference by companies and research and technology organisations active in the sector in the EU, including smaller European actors, to reinforce the industry’s competitiveness and technological sovereignty.

ECAVA’s activities will focus on near-term EU-driven collaborations in software-defined vehicles (SDV), hardware computing architectures and automotive electronics, AI models, and the development, piloting and testing of autonomous driving. ECAVA will thus shape EU cooperations in all these areas, as well as in related standardisation activities.

This cooperation is needed for the European automotive industry to oversee progress and provide strategic guidance for technological developments and cooperation between automotive stakeholders in both European and global markets. The March 2025 Automotive Action Plan announced the creation of a European Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance (ECAVA). This cooperation will enhance and foster synergies across existing and future EU initiatives and beyond.

ECAVA is a lean and outcome-oriented working structure. It is governed by a Steering Committee, driven by the industrial priorities of the automotive sector. The European Commission is part of the Steering Committee providing a secretariat that organises the operations of the Alliance, including thematic Working Groups, and an Alliance Forum.

ECAVA priorities and initiatives

The Alliance thematic working groups will foster these priorities:

• Software-Defined Vehicles (SDV): scaling up the common open-source ecosystem, targeting rapid industrialisation, and exploring collaboration on non-differentiating building blocks in application domains like autonomous driving.
• Artificial Intelligence and Data: promoting the joint development of AI models and data sharing, leveraging AI Factories.
• Automotive Hardware: reinforcing capacities through enhanced cooperation on computing platforms and chiplets, in coordination with the Alliance on Processors and Semiconductor Technologies.
• Autonomous Vehicle Deployment: accelerating autonomous vehicle deployment under the Autonomous Drive Ambition Cities initiative announced in the Apply AI strategy, as part of the large-scale cross-border testbeds announced in the Automotive Action Plan.

ECAVA will also provide targeted input on regulation and upcoming initiatives. Such as:

• The Large-Scale Demonstrators under the Connected, Cooperative and Automated Mobility (CCAM) Partnership
• Research and innovation under the next multi-annual financial framework
• The Chips Act 2.0
• Potential Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs) on AI and on Clean, Connected and Automated Vehicles