With the European freight market expected to grow by around 30% by 2030, rail freight undoubtedly has a crucial role to play. In Europe, road freight transport accounts for 75% of the total freight market, emitting around 155 g of CO2 per tonne-km, while rail only accounts for 18%, with CO2 emissions of just seven grammes per tonne-km (in electric traction). If we continue with the current modal split, annual CO2 emissions will increase to such an extent that meeting the Paris Agreement goals for 2030 will be challenging. (....)