Seville takes the lead in smart, sustainable transport as Europe’s flagship mobility congress moves from promises to real-world progress. The ITS European Congress 2025 in Seville didn’t just discuss the future of mobility — it showcased it in action. Over three days from 19 May, this Andalusian city became the epicenter of Europe’s intelligent transport conversation, bringing together more than 3,000 participants from 71 countries, 500+ expert speakers, and a shared determination to make clean, connected, and resilient mobility not just a vision — but a reality.
Organized by ERTICO – ITS Europe, in close collaboration with the European Commission and Spanish public institutions, the 16th edition of the Congress offered a sweeping look at how cities, companies, and policymakers can accelerate the transition to smart mobility systems that work for everyone.
ITS European Congress 2025 in Seville: more than an event — a milestone
The guiding theme — “Clean, Resilient, and Connected Mobility” — was reflected in every session, demonstration, and exchange. But what stood out most was not just the innovation on display. It was the sense of urgency — a call to move from pilot projects to permanent systems, from experiments to everyday solutions.
“The path forward is no longer about what we can create, but how swiftly we can deliver it,” said Prof. Eric Sampson, Chief Rapporteur, ITS European Congress 2025
From AI-powered traffic management to automated shuttles and climate-adaptive infrastructure, the Congress was less about theoretical mobility futures and more about what’s deployable right now.
Seville as a living lab for smart transport
Why Seville? The city’s recent transformation made it a perfect host. With more than 180 km of digitally integrated bike lanes, the SEVici bike-sharing system, and low-emission zones, Seville has already embedded ITS into daily life. Its commitment goes further: an all-electric public bus fleet is planned by 2027, while projects like eCitySevilla and the Qanat Cartuja cooling initiative bring sustainability and tech together in tangible ways.
Attendees witnessed these efforts firsthand during technical visits to:
- The DGT’s C-ITS Corridor
- Seville’s real-time traffic control centres
- Autonomous shuttle route linking the city’s landmarks
- Drone-based monitoring and kerbside management tools in action
“Seville is not just showcasing innovation — we are building it into the fabric of the city,” said Álvaro Pimentel Siles, Mobility Councillor of Seville.
Plenary insights: smart mobility needs smart governance
The ITS European Congress 2025 in Seville featured three powerful plenary sessions that framed the week’s debates:
- The Green Shift: How digital tools — from AI to smart charging — can drive Europe toward climate-neutral transport.
- Resilient by Design: Building mobility systems that can withstand disruption, with secure data, redundancy, and cross-sector alignment.
- Towards Leadership in CCAM: Advancing connected and automated mobility through better regulation, public trust, and city integration.
These high-level discussions were anything but abstract. They were grounded in deployment strategies, urban realities, and shared policy gaps. What emerged was a consensus: the tech is ready — now regulation, funding, and public engagement must catch up.
Smart Mobility Summit: cities at the helm of Europe’s mobility transition
Before the official opening of the ITS European Congress 2025 in Seville, the city hosted a high-level gathering that set the tone for the entire week. On May 19, over 50 representatives from European cities and regions, including 16 EU Mission Cities, convened for the Smart Mobility Summit of Cities and Regions — a flagship event focused on shaping actionable pathways toward climate-neutral and inclusive urban mobility by 2030.
“By 2030, we aim for a system that’s not only smart but inclusive — one that leaves no one behind,”
— Dr. Angelos Amditis, Chairman of ERTICO
Through closed-door roundtable discussions, city leaders and public sector officials tackled critical innovation areas including urban transport electrification, integrated mobility systems and digital infrastructure, data governance and real-time traffic management, regulation and public acceptance of urban air mobility.
The Summit underscored that cities cannot act alone. Participants called for deeper partnerships across government levels and stronger alignment with private sector actors and European institutions. Financial tools, supportive regulation, and citizen engagement emerged as essential enablers for scaling solutions in real-world urban environments.
Several other side events took place during the congress, including Digital Mobility and ITS Conference for Western Balkans and Observing Participants.
ITS Arena: a new stage for cross-sector exchange
Meanwhile, on the Congress floor itself, the newly introduced ITS Arena offered a more informal, fast-paced format for ongoing dialogue between sectors, industries, and innovators throughout the three days of the event.
Located within the exhibition pavilion, the Arena hosted sessions featuring many speakers. From city officials to start-up founders, the conversations focused on:
- Practical deployment of Connected and Automated Mobility (CCAM)
- Digital integration strategies for multimodal networks
- Public-private cooperation models
- The business case for climate-resilient transport innovation
Unlike traditional conference formats, the ITS Arena fostered spontaneous exchange, live feedback, and interactive Q&As, helping bridge the gap between policy frameworks and market realities.
While the Smart Mobility Summit brought strategic focus from Europe’s urban leaders, the ITS Arena kept the pulse of operational innovation. Together, they reflected the Congress’s dual emphasis on high-level vision and on-the-ground deployment.
Tech on display: from concept to street
In the exhibition halls and outdoor spaces, the Congress delivered what few events manage: a real-world sense of what future mobility will look like. Among the most talked – about innovations:
- Autonomous shuttles with V2X capabilities serving tourist zones
- AI-enabled curb management by EasyPark
- Drone-assisted traffic monitoring from Spain’s DGT
- Seamless Mobility-as-a-Service platforms integrating real-time data from multiple modes
The emphasis was on scalability. Delegates debated how to move from city-by-city experimentation to regional and national coordination — and how to make solutions affordable, safe, and equitable.
What comes next after the ITS European Congress 2025 in Seville?
For all its tech-forward sheen, the ITS European Congress 2025 was grounded in realism. Speakers and participants alike acknowledged that while Europe leads in many aspects of smart mobility, serious hurdles remain — from fragmented regulation to insufficient public awareness.
“Technology alone won’t fix mobility — people, policy, and partnerships will,”
— Joost Vantomme, CEO, ERTICO – ITS Europe
Still, the mood in Seville was determined, even optimistic. There was a shared sense that the groundwork has been laid — now it’s time to build the superstructure. From award-winning research to spontaneous partnerships formed over tapas, the ITS European Congress 2025 in Seville delivered what it promised: a shared, strategic, and inclusive vision for the mobility of tomorrow.
Next year, the journey continues — this time at the crossroads of continents. Istanbul 2026 promises to bring new perspectives, new challenges, and new energy to Europe’s evolving transport ecosystem.
If you want to read about other conferences and exhibitions you can do it here.
