Supporting projects within ERTICO’s Green & Urban Mobility team, Roberto Caldarulo is working to turn innovative research into practical urban mobility solutions. In this interview, we learn more about his ambitions to deliver zero-emission services, coordinating cross-sector projects, and the lessons learned from user-focused, sustainable urban transport initiatives.
Can you describe your role at ERTICO and the main projects you are involved in?
Roberto joined ERTICO in 2025 as Senior Project Support Manager within the Innovation & Deployment Department. He explains, “My key responsibilities cover enabling effective delivery across Horizon Europe actions. For example, supporting partner and stakeholder alignment, helping maintain governance, timelines and quality, but also ensuring clear reporting and compliance. I also focus on structuring knowledge and stakeholder communication so decisions translate into execution.”
Roberto is currently supporting projects including ZEV-UP, SMARTIN, and periASTY, all aiming at advancing green and urban mobility solutions.
What drives you the most in your day-to-day work?
“What drives me most in my work is seeing that my work directly helps deliver real benefits for cities and people. In Green & Urban Mobility projects, that means helping zero emission mobility, urban logistics and last mile solutions, translating from pilot phase to concrete urban services.”
While working closely with partners and project leads to keep everyone aligned and moving in the same direction, Roberto highlights the importance of his role in spotting issues early, making sure decisions are clearly documented, and helping teams stay focused on execution. “I really enjoy those moments when a milestone closes, but also the small wins like removing different obstacles so that implementation of projects can progress.”
When timelines are tight, Roberto leans on realistic planning and clear, concise follow-up to keep things moving without losing sight of the bigger picture: reducing emissions, easing congestion, and improving everyday mobility.
Can you tell us about a specific project or initiative that you feel is making a significant impact on the mobility sector?
While involved in multiple projects, Roberto regards the ZEV-UP project as a standout among his initiatives, emphasising that “it addresses a practical question: how to make zero emission mobility both affordable and usable in everyday life.”
The consortium is currently developing a modular range of small electric vehicles for both passenger trips and urban deliveries, tested with users to evaluate performance and acceptance. The goal of the project is clear: provide cities and operators with practical tools to cut emissions, ease congestion, and improve last-mile services.
How does ERTICO’s mission, vision, and values guide your work and approach to the projects?
While supporting public and private partners in turning ideas into real services, Roberto stays closely aligned with ERTICO’s mission to connect the ecosystem and deploy user-centric solutions. Roberto reflects, “In my work, I always try to lead myself with ERTICO’s vision in mind: mobility that is smarter, safer and truly serves society. In practice, that means contributing to cooperative teamwork, open and traceable decision-making, and a strong focus on outcomes, all while keeping a steady pace and an eye on scaling beyond one-off pilots.”
We learn that Roberto's biggest motivation is that the value of this work goes beyond the technical delivery. By keeping a strong focus on user-centric solutions, the impact becomes social as well: contributing to lower emissions, improved safety, and more human-centred mobility in everyday life.
Looking ahead, what is one change in urban mobility you would like to see implemented over the next five years?
Roberto would prioritise a Europe-wide shift to zero-emission urban logistics. Micro depots, consolidation hubs and cleaner last-mile fleets, integrated with city mobility plans and TEN-T urban nodes, can relieve city centres without compromising service. He comments, "Indeed, the EU already encourages cities to include freight in their Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans and to progress towards zero emission last mile delivery. Scaling this approach would cut congestion and pollution while improving reliability for residents and businesses.”
Roberto’s work illustrates that the most effective mobility solutions are those that directly serve society. By emphasising scalability, traceable decision-making, and user-centric outcomes, he ensures ERTICO projects move beyond pilot stages to become lasting, socially impactful urban solutions.
Learn more about ERTICO's involvement and contribution to European-funded projects.