Research and Innovation background
- Charging Infrastructure Masterplan II: Current federal implementation framework supporting the market ramp-up of electromobility through expansion of user-friendly, needs-based charging infrastructure, including measures relevant to innovation, deployment and system integration in road transport’.
- 2030 Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan: This plan outlines the strategic direction concerning transport and transport infrastructure up to 2030. It includes investments in road, rail, and maritime infrastructure, aiming to enhance connectivity, efficiency, and sustainability in the transport network.
- National Hydrogen Strategy: Updated in 2023, this strategy promotes hydrogen as a key energy carrier in transport by developing infrastructure, supporting research into fuel cell technology, and integrating hydrogen into various transport modes. The strategy identifies heavy-duty commercial road transport as the most promising transport sector for hydrogen applications, but also foresees applications in shipping and aviation.
Road Safety Programme 2021-2030: This programme is focused on funding research on traffic safety technologies to reduce traffic fatalities and improve road safety across Germany. It funds research into advanced driver assistance systems, intelligent traffic systems, and intelligent traffic management that can help prevent accidents.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)
Institutional framework of transport research
- Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV): Lead federal ministry for transport policy and an important public funder and coordinator of transport-related innovation measures in areas such as digital mobility, automated and connected driving, charging infrastructure and sustainable transport technologies.
- DLR Institute of Transport Research: Conducts research on passenger and freight transport, mobility demand, transport system transformation, climate-friendly mobility and the social and economic impacts of new mobility services.
- German Centre for Rail Traffic Research (DZSF): National research centre focusing on rail system innovation, infrastructure resilience, digital rail operations and railway technology development.
Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt): Federal research institute responsible for road transport innovation, including road safety technologies, intelligent transport systems and automated driving.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)
Funding Sources and Support Initiatives
mFUND - Mobility Data Funding Initiative: Federal funding initiative supporting transport research and innovation projects that use mobility, geospatial and weather data to develop new transport services, intelligent transport systems and digital mobility platforms.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)