COLLABORATIVE INNOVATION
VINCI Concessions encourages innovation at each of its business units through its digital platform, INNOVATE, which empowers all employees to share their needs or ideas and showcase tried-and-tested solutions that could be put into action. As part of the VINCI Environment Awards – organised by the VINCI Group to identify and celebrate solutions to decarbonise operations, boost the circular economy and promote rewilding – over 200 innovative ideas have been put forward by VINCI Concessions employees. Around 50 mature solutions from teams at VINCI Airports, VINCI Highways, VINCI Autoroutes and VINCI Railways will receive guidance ahead of deployment within the Group, to benefit clients.
FRANCE
“CHARGE AS YOU DRIVE”, A WORLD FIRST MANAGED BY VINCI AUTOROUTES
In addition to fixed charge points, HGVs can also be powered through dynamic charging as they drive over infrastructure, via either induction or a live rail. Since 2023 VINCI Autoroutes, together with VINCI Construction and a number of public and private stakeholders, has been trialling “Charge as you drive” as part of a call for projects by Bpifrance: “Mobilités routières automatisés, infrastructures de services connectées et bas-carbone” (automated highway mobility, connected and low-carbon service infrastructure). It is the world’s first project of this type on a highway in service. After an initial trial phase, the system was rolled out in real-life conditions from November 2024 on a test section of the A10. In Spring 2025, prototype HGVs should be the first worldwide to recharge by driving on the highway in real traffic conditions. Rolling out these systems widely will contribute greatly to improving the environmental performance of electric HGVs and stepping up electrification. Their impact will therefore be significant in France, where the transport of goods is carried out by road 90% of the time, accounting for 45% of carbon emissions generated by highway journeys and 22% of the carbon footprint of the entire transport sector.
GREECE
VINCI HIGHWAYS’ NETWORK, A DENSE CONCENTRATION OF SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGIES
VINCI Highways is the leading international highway operator in Greece, where it is rolling out pioneering initiatives. An adaptive lighting system has therefore been installed on this route, adjusting the strength of the lights to the weather conditions and traffic levels. The system has produced real results, reducing energy consumption by 75% in certain months. Teams have tested a solution to vary the strength of the lighting in the tunnels, taking into account the level of light outside, the reflection from road markings and the cleanliness of the walls, in order to optimise energy consumption while offering a pleasant experience for drivers. These trials come on top of programmes to encourage the use of renewable energy and electric mobility. VINCI Highways has also launched a major programme to install high-power electric charging points at its service areas with the aim of covering its entire Greek network. And in 2024, it reached a key step of its solar installation programme by building the largest highway solar farm in Greece along the Athens – Patras highway – decarbonised energy to power operations, generated on site by making use of land near the highway and on the roofs of operations centres.