New Driver's License Regulations, Navistar, Scania, Flixbus, Li Auto, DAF Trucks, and Much More

The EU Parliament is set to reform driver's license regulations in 2024, having agreed last week on changes aimed at simplifying the acquisition of bus licenses and increasing the allowable total weight for motorhomes in the B license category. The goal is to address the shortage of drivers in the bus industry and to make it easier to access professions in the transportation sector. For instance, in Germany, the Class C license for trucks can currently only be obtained at the age of 21, and the Class D license for buses at 24. To combat the shortage of professional drivers, lawmakers have now agreed that 18-year-olds should be allowed to obtain a truck or bus license for vehicles carrying up to 16 passengers, provided they have a qualification certificate. Additionally, 17-year-olds will be allowed to acquire a truck driving license if they are accompanied by an experienced driver.

At the same time, the weight limits for drivers who have held a Class B car license for two years will be increased. For motorhomes, ambulances, and special vehicles (such as fire trucks), the weight limit for Class B – regardless of the type of propulsion – will be raised to 4250 kilograms (9370 lbs). For all other Class B vehicles, the permissible total mass will increase from a maximum of 3500 kilograms (7700 lbs) to 4250 kilograms (9370 lbs), but only for alternative propulsion types. For passenger vehicles (8 seats plus driver), the regulations for towing trailers or semi-trailers will also change: These vehicles will be allowed to tow a trailer or semi-trailer with a permissible combined weight of up to 5000 kilograms (11,000 lbs). Navistar Delivers First International LT Long-Haul Truck with Scania's S13 Engine.

Navistar has delivered the first International LT long-haul trucks in the USA, equipped with the new S13 engine, a motor-transmission combination, based on the technology of its European sister company, Scania. The drive technology, featuring 12.7-liter inline six-cylinder engines, is known for its robustness, high performance, and fuel efficiency. According to the company, the heavy-duty LT series trucks with the new S13 engine and an updated aerodynamics package are expected to see a fuel consumption reduction of up to 15 percent compared to the standard LT model with an automated Eaton Endurant HD 12-speed transmission and the first generation of the International A26 engine, which is based on the MAN D26 inline six-cylinder engine.

Scania Group is expanding its "Scania Rent" rental service in Germany to include electric trucks. The attractive Scania Rent solutions now feature tractor units and chassis with various body types, including subsidies. Additionally, Scania offers an optional consulting service to customers on the usage of electric trucks, covering areas such as charging infrastructure, operating costs, and maintenance. The service is aimed at businesses, urban distributors, and municipalities to support short-term projects or manage peak periods. The rental option is designed to be flexible, with the opportunity for clients to fully acquire the vehicle after the rental period.

Flixbus has recently introduced long-distance bus services using locally emission-free vehicles. The company's first electric long-distance bus route connects England and Wales and will be tested over three months in the long-distance bus network, in collaboration with the operating partner Newport Transport. The service uses the Yutong TCe12 electric bus, which is equipped with 46 seats, a restroom, USB charging ports, and free Wi-Fi. It was the first emission-free long-distance bus to receive the British ULEB certification in 2020. Ticket prices start at £2.99, approximately €3.50.

Ford Trucks Germany has introduced the Ford F-MAX Select, a luxurious special edition of the long-haul tractor unit from the F-MAX series, outfitted with numerous features and comprehensive assistance functions. This special edition, limited to 400 units, is distinguished by a two-tone paint job in Black Agate and Bronze. Each vehicle in the limited edition will be numbered. Technically, the vehicle incorporates the robust and efficient technology of the F-MAX series with a host of premium features for safety and comfort. These include adaptive high beam, blind spot information system, collision assistance with pedestrian detection, driver alert system and emergency brake signal, intelligent adaptive cruise control with stop & go functionality, active lane keeping assist, distance alert system, rearview camera, tire pressure monitoring system, and automatic traffic sign recognition.

Xos Trucks , a manufacturer of electric commercial vehicles, and Winnebago, known for motorhomes and specialty vehicles, have announced a partnership to develop an electric chassis for specialty vehicles. The chassis, based on Xos technology, is intended for use in vehicles for mobile childcare, medical clinics, and other specialized applications. Technical details about the batteries and drivetrains have not been disclosed yet. The chassis is designed to accommodate commercial vehicles ranging from 33 to 38 feet in length, equivalent to 10.05 to 11.58 meters. The expected range is up to 200 miles (approximately 320 kilometers).

Li Auto is set to launch its first all-electric van, the Li Mega, in March, following its debut at the Guangzhou Auto Show in November 2023. It comes equipped with a 103 kWh CATL battery, expected to offer a range of 710 km (about 441 miles). However, the real standout feature is its ultra-fast charging capability, enabled by an 800-volt system. Charging rates of up to 520 kW are possible, allowing the battery level to surge from 10% to 80% in just 10 minutes and 36 seconds. More significant than the charging time is the speed at which electricity can be added for a given range, factoring in the energy consumption, which for the Li Mega, according to the Chinese CLTC standard, is 15.9 kWh/100 km. This means that in 12 minutes, drivers can charge enough for an additional 500 km (about 310 miles), assuming access to an appropriate charging station like Li Auto's 5C stations. The company plans to install over 5,000 of these stations across China.

Paccar Parts Europe has successfully set up its own power supply system at Best Trucks, a DAF Electric Truck Centre in Barendrecht, Netherlands. This so-called "Microgrid" consists of 750 roof-mounted solar panels, an energy storage system, and advanced energy control systems. The Microgrid is capable of super-fast charging for trucks leaving the workshop and powers a public fast-charging station.

The project for Paccar Parts Europe, specifically designed for Best Trucks, started with the installation of an Energy Storage System (ESS) with a battery storage capacity of 480 kWh, an Energy Management System (EMS), and three super-fast charging ports with a maximum output of 360 kW. These are connected to the existing 750 solar panels on the roof as well as to the power grid. Additionally, two charging stations were installed in the workshop, capable of charging electric trucks within an hour. A third fast-charging station is available for public use.

A team from the Institute of Aircraft Design at the Universität Stuttgart has developed a method for producing lightweight components from natural fiber composite materials, suitable for use in cargo bikes and other applications. The team has replaced plastics with flax fibers and bio-polymers, resulting in a stable material that is expected to be more environmentally friendly to recycle than conventional alternatives. According to the team, this process allows for the efficient production of natural fiber-reinforced plastics with better mechanical properties than many other manufacturing methods. The goal is to create a sustainable lightweight alternative that can be used in cargo bike transport boxes as well as in components for wind turbines.

BusStore's used bus brand, celebrated its 10th anniversary last week. The first and largest location to date, the BusStore Center in Neu-Ulm, Germany, was opened in February 2014. Since then, BusStore has expanded to 25 branches across 23 European countries, including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Italy, the Czech Republic, Austria, Poland, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Slovakia, Hungary, Latvia, Slovenia, Croatia, Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Finland, and Luxembourg. In addition to selling used buses, BusStore also offers financing, vehicle classification, warranty promises, service contracts for nearly new used vehicles, and flexible leasing options. Looking ahead, Daimler Buses plans to provide a used market for buses with alternative drivetrains, as announced by the company.