Innovation Challenge

The mobility sector is facing one of the biggest transitions of our time. The challenge is clear: cleaner, smarter, and future-proof transport, without compromising economic strength and international competitiveness. To accelerate this transition, collaboration between government, knowledge institutions, and the business community is essential. The R&D Mobility Sectors (RDM) subsidy program has played a key role in this. This program formed the basis for groundbreaking innovations in the automotive, aviation, and maritime sectors and brought parties together around a shared ambition: to make the Netherlands a leader in sustainable mobility.

Marc Hendrikse, former figurehead Holland High Tech:

The RDM scheme was created during an exceptional period. During the coronavirus pandemic, we saw that investments in innovation, especially in sectors like automotive, aviation, and maritime, came under severe pressure, while the transition challenge remained undiminished. With the RDM, we created the space to maintain and even accelerate this innovative strength in the Netherlands. It was essential to bring together businesses, knowledge institutions, and government agencies and offer perspective, especially at a time when uncertainty was high.

A joint impetus for innovation in mobility, born from crisis

The RDM scheme focused on three strategic sectors that were hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic but are essential to the Dutch economy. The automotive, aviation, and maritime sectors have high export value, high-quality employment, and play a key role in the transition to sustainable mobility.

A total of €150 million was made available under the scheme, supplemented by substantial co-financing from the private sector. This combination enabled the formation of large-scale consortia and the launch of projects that individual parties would not have been able to sustain independently during the crisis.

The objective of the RDM scheme was explicitly twofold. On the one hand, to maintain and accelerate R&D activities during and after the pandemic. On the other hand, to strengthen ecosystems by encouraging collaboration across sectors and supply chains. This made the scheme not only a response to an immediate crisis but also a catalyst for long-term innovation in sustainable mobility.

In this article, we will outline which projects were carried out within the automotive and aviation sectors, the results achieved, and the impact of these innovations.

Automotive: from project financing to a national innovation programme

Green Transport Delta Electrification: the foundation for the Dutch battery ecosystem

The "Green Transport Delta Electrification (GTD-E)" project was one of the most impactful initiatives within the RDM scheme for the automotive sector. The project focused on the accelerated electrification of heavy transport, among other things, and aimed to position Dutch expertise and industry in the rapidly growing market for electric vehicles and components. By focusing on battery packs for specialized markets, such as heavy transport, Dutch companies can fill a gap currently being missed in the global production chain.

Within GTD-E, vehicle manufacturers such as VDL and DAF, suppliers, grid operators, knowledge institutions including TNO, and regional development agencies collaborated intensively. The project's strength lay in its integrated approach: not only vehicle technology was central, but also charging infrastructure, energy systems, and industrial scale-up.

One of the most important results is the flywheel effect that led to the establishment of the Battery Competence Cluster Netherlands (BCC-NL). This cluster now forms the heart of the Dutch battery ecosystem and aims to strengthen the entire value chain in the Netherlands, from material development and cell production to assembly, recycling, and reuse.

Thanks to the foundation laid by GTD-E, BCC-NL secured significant follow-up funding: €296 million from the National Growth Fund, supplemented by approximately €500 million from the private sector. These investments will give the Dutch battery ecosystem a significant boost towards industrialization. A concrete example of this is VDL, which has established a demonstration setup for battery pack assembly within this ecosystem. This not only builds technological expertise but also crucial practical experience with production processes, quality requirements, and scaling up.

Green Transport Delta Hydrogen: technology ready, need for scaling up still present

The "Green Transport Delta Hydrogen (GTD-H)" project focused on hydrogen as an alternative for applications where batteries are less suitable, such as long-distance transport and heavy equipment. The project's main objective was to develop three hydrogen technologies: hydrogen combustion engines, hydrogen fuel cells, and a next-generation technology for hydrogen refueling infrastructure.

The project has led to a number of developments, the most important of which are listed below.

One of these is the development of a High Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI) module, which allows existing diesel engines to be retrofitted for hydrogen. This technology, including onboard storage and fuel supply, is now being selectively applied in heavy-duty transport and is funded through the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management's SWiM scheme.

In addition, the same HPDI technology has been successfully applied in shipping. DAF is also developing, in collaboration with TU/e ​​and TNO, a completely new hydrogen engine for long-distance transport. This engine is designed from the ground up for hydrogen and distinguishes itself through higher efficiency and a longer lifespan.

Furthermore, a diesel engine has been converted into a hydrogen generator for electricity generation, suitable for emergency response and vulnerable areas. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) have also been developed with an efficiency of 88%, which can play a role in resolving grid congestion.

Additionally, safety protocols and rapid filling mechanisms have been developed for hydrogen trucks.

The technologies described above are currently at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5. Further development to TRL 7–8 is necessary for large-scale impact. Attempts to secure follow-up funding through the National Growth Fund failed. Therefore, during the National Conference on Sustainable Mobility in 2025, an action list was presented to the government, including a call to make hydrogen a permanent part of the mobility transition and the Acceleration Agenda 2025.

Structural impact: Programme Office Green & Smart Mobility

In addition to individual projects, the RDM scheme has led to a permanent structure: the Programme Office Green & Smart Mobility 

The program office is jointly run by RAI Automotive Industry NL and Brainport Development and serves as a link between public and private parties. More than 60 Dutch companies from the automotive, maritime, and aviation sectors are now members. The programmatic approach, with a long-term roadmap and cross-sector collaboration, is one of the most important legacy of the RDM scheme.

Aviation: lightweight innovation and international collaboration

Hydrogen tanks for zero-emission aviation

The aviation sector is working on several routes to sustainability: batteries and hydrogen. Both routes should ultimately lead to zero CO₂ emissions. Regarding hydrogen, hydrogen storage requires heavy tanks, which is undesirable in aviation. After all, every extra kilogram means an aircraft needs more power. The project "Hydrogen tanks for zero-emission aviation" therefore focused on lightweight composite tanks that are suitable for storage under high pressure or low temperature.

Virtually the entire supply chain is represented in this project. Collaboration takes place on design, process development, production, testing, and regulations.  

The main goal of this project is to connect with the hydrogen aircraft development efforts of aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus. Because the project needed more time to deliver all the results, it will run until the end of 2026. This aligns with international developments, including Airbus's extension of its hydrogen project. Extending the project will allow for further development towards higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), increasing the opportunities for long-term collaboration with Airbus.  

Thermoplastics: Dutch distinctiveness

The "Thermoplastics for Sustainable Aviation" project builds on the Netherlands' unique international position in the field of thermoplastic composite materials. These materials combine extremely low weight with high strength and also offer advantages in terms of production speed and recyclability. These are crucial properties, especially in aviation, where weight reduction directly contributes to lower emissions and energy consumption. Because sustainability improvements for large commercial aircraft are complex and time-consuming, this project initially focused on smaller aircraft (fewer than 200 passengers and ranges up to approximately 2,000 kilometers), including electric aircraft such as those from Joby Aviation. Dutch thermoplastic technologies were applied to these aircraft, specifically in structural components such as the tail, where significant weight savings are possible.

The project has since received significant follow-up within the National Growth Fund Programme for Aviation in Transition. This programme is crucially transitioning proven technology in smaller aircraft to applications in larger commercial aircraft, with a specific focus on the successor to the Airbus A320. Airbus is currently in a strategic phase determining which partners will collaborate on this new generation of aircraft. The technology selection process for collaborating partners will take place over the next two years, with production of the new aircraft scheduled for around 2035.

Selection by Airbus means more than just recognition of technological quality. It means that Dutch parties will collaborate with Airbus for approximately ten years to further develop the thermoplastic technology on a demonstrator, as a necessary step towards application in series production. Further development does not automatically guarantee actual application, but it does significantly increase the likelihood. The Netherlands has a strong starting position in this regard: it possesses unique knowledge and infrastructure in the field of thermoplastics. If the technology is actually applied in the successor to the A320, it will represent a potential market of approximately tens of thousands of aircraft sold over twenty years, a huge economic and strategic opportunity for the Dutch aviation industry.

Project BrightSky 

Major international airports like Schiphol are not only hubs for passengers and freight, but also places where numerous aviation companies, knowledge, and infrastructure converge. To remain an international leader, the aviation sector at and around Schiphol must continuously innovate. This is precisely what the BrightSky consortium has been working on.

The "BrightSky project" is broadly conceived and consists of several work packages, carried out by a consortium of twelve small and large parties. The project has focused on areas such as smarter maintenance processes using advanced scanning techniques, improved aircraft availability through the development of new planning and decision-support tools, and more effective maintenance training using a Maintenance Simulator. Equally important was the development of mutual collaboration and understanding between the parties involved. This represents a first, but essential, step toward an innovation ecosystem that can function independently in the long term.

The successful innovations developed within BrightSky have since led to new collaborations and follow-up activities. Several parties are already collaborating on other and follow-up projects, including within the Top Sector High Tech Aircraft Manufacturing Industry (TSH) and Aviation in Transition programs. This continues to expand the ecosystem, with new projects and new partners working together on complex innovation challenges in aviation.

The aviation sector often faces negative perceptions surrounding noise, emissions, and the living environment. That's precisely why innovation is essential. While many innovation programs focus on long-term effects, BrightSky ensures that concrete improvements are already visible and applicable. This way, the project makes direct contributions to the sector today, while simultaneously paving the way for the sustainable aviation of tomorrow and supporting long-term goals for the next ten to thirty years.

Moving forward together: how the RDM scheme has brought lasting movement

Marc Hendrikse, former figurehead Holland High Tech:

The RDM scheme has demonstrated how powerful the Netherlands can be when we approach innovation strategically. In a period of crisis, we opted not for dismantling, but for progress. By investing specifically in collaboration and technological innovation, we have created ecosystems that are internationally significant and form the basis for future growth.

The value of RDM lies not only in the projects themselves, but in what they have set in motion: trust between parties, a shared long-term agenda, and a clear international positioning of the Netherlands as a leader in sustainable mobility. This not only strengthens our economic earning power but also makes a concrete contribution to societal challenges such as sustainability and accessibility.

RDM was therefore not an end point, but a strategic starting point. The accumulated knowledge, networks, and ambitions form a solid foundation for the Netherlands to continue to lead in mobility innovation in the coming decades.

Pim Grol, Managing Director RAI Automotive Industry NL:

For us, the strength of the RDM program lies in the connection between innovation and the market. The projects form the substantive basis for our international missions and trade fairs in countries like France, Germany, and Sweden. By positioning companies together and connecting their stories to concrete market demand, we build sustainable revenue, employment, and a strong international position for the Dutch automotive industry. For us, innovation doesn't stop at project completion.

Paul Eijssen, Managing Director NAG:

The RDM scheme reunited parties, both nationally and internationally, at a time when the aviation sector desperately needed direction and perspective. Especially in the face of sustainability challenges, it was crucial that businesses, knowledge institutions, and the government regained the energy and confidence to collaborate. This renewed dynamism formed the basis for new initiatives and a shared long-term ambition for sustainable aviation.

The RDM scheme has sparked lasting momentum within the mobility sector and is clearly impacting new programs and initiatives. The publication "The Future is Now," published by the Ministries of Economic Affairs and Infrastructure and Water Management, provides a complete overview of all RDM projects.

To publication