EIB to provide €80m loan to CAF for mobility innovation programme

Group 1 - The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed an agreement with Compañía Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) to provide an €80 million ($93.6 million) loan for a research, development, and innovation (RD&I) program focused on mobility technologies [1] - The loan will enable CAF to invest in digitalization, autonomous mobility solutions, and enhanced energy efficiency for its trains and buses, with investments taking place in Spain and Poland [1][2] - The project aims to accelerate changes in the mobility sector related to economic growth and emissions reduction, while also enhancing competitiveness in the EU's industrial sector and addressing the demand for skilled workers in urban and interurban transport [2] Group 2 - The financing is part of the EIB Group's 2024-2027 Strategic Roadmap, which emphasizes technological innovation, cohesion, and environmental sustainability [2] - The initiative is aligned with the EIB Group's TechEU initiative, which aims to mobilize €250 billion in investments by 2027 for startups, scale-ups, and innovative companies across Europe [3] - In May, CAF secured two maintenance contracts worth nearly €400 million ($453.3 million) in the UK and Colombia, indicating its growing presence in the market [3]