Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, MAN Truck & Bus, Milence, CATL, Yutong, “TEC-OFF”, Helrom

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has announced the debut of the Transporter T7 at the IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024 event, set for September 2024 in Hannover. Alongside the announcement, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles shared details about the interior and cargo space of the completely redeveloped generation of the Transporter. Slated for release in early 2025 and developed in collaboration with Ford, the T7 will feature a digital cockpit landscape with a 12-inch digital display and a 13-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system. It will also boast significantly increased cargo space compared to its predecessor, the Transporter 6.1. The T7 is expected to offer a cargo volume of 5.78 cubic meters, or 9 cubic meters in the extended version, and be capable of carrying a payload of 1.33 tons or towing up to 2.8 tons. Standard configuration of the T7 will include two single seats in the front for the cargo van version, but it will also offer the option of a two-person bench for an additional passenger seat or up to three easily removable single seats in the second row and – at a later date as a passenger van – even a three-person bench in the third row. Unique in its class, the T7 will also be available as a flatbed truck with a six-seat double cab. It will be powered by a 110 horsepower (81 kW) turbo diesel engine.

Commercial vehicle manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus is set to become the first European truck producer to launch a small series of hydrogen combustion engines. By 2025, this initially planned series of around 200 units is expected to be delivered to Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Iceland, and selected non-European countries. The MAN hTGX aims to offer an alternative zero-emission drive option for specific applications, such as transporting heavy goods in construction, tank transport, or logging. It's also designed for use in areas without sufficient charging infrastructure or in markets where hydrogen is readily available, providing an eco-friendly alternative to battery-electric trucks, as announced by the company. The initial axle configurations of the MAN hTGX, 6x2 and 6x4, are expected to allow for high payloads and maximum ranges of up to 600 kilometers. The H45 hydrogen combustion engine used in these trucks will have a power output of 383 kW or 520 hp. Refueling the vehicle with compressed hydrogen (CG H2) at 700 bar and a tank capacity of 56kg should take less than 15 minutes.

Milence, a joint venture between Daimler Truck, Traton, and the Volvo Group, aims to set up 1,700 charging points across Europe by the end of 2027. The first location has been inaugurated in Venlo, close to the Dutch-German border. Additional sites are set to open this month in Normandy, France, and within the current quarter at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium, with another location announced for Ghent, Belgium, and more to follow. These sites are intended to be hubs featuring ten to twenty charging points each. They are to be constructed on busy logistics corridors, as well as at ports or depots. Initially, each site will have eight charging points, with preparations in place for additional future charging capabilities. The maximum configuration could include up to 64 charging points.

Chinese battery manufacturer CATL and bus maker Yutong have unveiled an innovative battery for electric buses and trucks that promises a lifespan of up to 15 years or 1.5 million kilometers, as reported by CNEV Post. Additionally, this battery is designed to deliver maximum performance without degradation over the first 1,000 cycles. At the same event, Yutong also introduced a power battery with a ten-year lifespan and a range of one million kilometers. Further details have not been disclosed.

The Swiss research project TEC-OFF is exploring the potential of Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technologies using the electric delivery vans of the courier service DPD in Basel. Researchers from the ZHAW School of Engineering are assisting DPD in this field test. Together, they aim to deploy over 800 vehicles in a manner that minimizes electricity costs and reduces CO2 emissions. The study will also examine V1G technology, which involves strategically scheduling the charging of vehicles throughout the day to match energy demand.

Audi, Duvenbeck, Bayernhafen, and Helrom are collaborating on a new intermodal concept that operates without the need for specialized terminals and cranes. Developed by Helrom, the full train service running between Regensburg, Germany, and Lébény, Hungary, allows for the direct loading of truck trailers onto the train, aiming to cut transport times and significantly reduce CO2 emissions. The service is expected to take around 24 hours for a 1,000-kilometer round trip, including loading and unloading times. It aims to shift up to 72 trucks from road to rail on weekdays, reducing truck transport by approximately 185,000 kilometers and saving up to 11,500 tons of CO2 emissions annually. This new connection is part of Audi's sustainability strategy, Mission:Zero.

Finnish charging hardware manufacturer Kempower is now accepting orders for its megawatt charging system announced in October 2023.

Swiss S-Pedelec manufacturer My Stromer has launched its first European online store in the Netherlands, with plans to expand to Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, France, and Denmark within the year.

The world-famous heavy metal band Metallica will be using electric trucks from Iveco for their upcoming world tour in Europe. Iveco will provide the Iveco S-Way electric truck for transporting equipment and the Iveco eDaily as a shuttle vehicle for the crew.