European Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance (ECAVA)
The European Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance (ECAVA) is a strategic and advisory platform that brings together key stakeholders from across the automotive value chain, including vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, technology providers, research organisations, and innovative start-ups. Its purpose is to coordinate and accelerate technological development and investment in next-generation mobility solutions across Europe.
ECAVA focuses on advancing the key technological domains driving the transformation of the European automotive industry. Its activities promote EU-driven collaboration in software-defined vehicles (SDVs), hardware computing architectures and automotive electronics, AI-powered systems and models, and the development, piloting, and testing of connected and autonomous driving technologies. Through collaboration between established industry leaders and innovative European SMEs, ECAVA seeks to strengthen Europe’s technological sovereignty, reinforce its global competitiveness, and shape European cooperation, including related standardisation activities, across these strategic areas.
Main purpose
The European Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Alliance (ECAVA) aims to strengthen the competitiveness and technological independence of the European automotive industry by promoting collaboration among companies and research organisations working on software-defined, AI-powered, connected, and autonomous vehicle technologies. Its activities focus on advancing software-defined vehicles, automotive computing hardware, AI applications, and autonomous driving through research, testing, and standardisation.
Announced as part of the 2025 Automotive Action Plan, ECAVA supports cooperation across European initiatives to accelerate innovation and investment. The alliance operates through a streamlined governance structure led by a Steering Committee, with support from the European Commission, which coordinates its working groups and overall activities.
ECAVA priorities and initiatives
Software-Defined Vehicles
scaling up the common open-source ecosystem, targeting rapid industrialisation, and exploring collaboration on non-differentiating building blocks in application domains like autonomous driving.
Automotive Hardware
reinforcing capacities through enhanced cooperation on computing platforms and chiplets, in coordination with the Alliance on Processors and Semiconductor Technologies.
Artificial Intelligence and Data
promoting the joint development of AI models and data sharing, leveraging AI Factories.
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.
In practical terms, ECAVA focuses on enabling near-term, EU-driven cooperation in areas such as SDV software development, automative hardware, artificial intelligence models, and the piloting and testing of autonomous driving systems. It also contributes to shaping standardisation efforts and aligning industry needs with regulatory and policy frameworks.
Through structured collaboration and engagement with European institutions, ECAVA helps align technological progress with policy priorities. This includes facilitating discussions around data access, safety validation, and testing infrastructures, all of which are essential for scaling connected and autonomous vehicle technologies.
Collaboration and engagement
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. 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.
Overall, ECAVA plays a central role in shaping a cohesive European approach to future mobility—one that integrates software, hardware, and AI capabilities while ensuring that innovation remains competitive, secure, and aligned with societal needs.