Renault Trucks, ZF, VDL, Voith and much more

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Researchers at Purdue University are developing a system that would allow electric trucks to wirelessly charge while driving on highways. Since vehicles travel much faster on highways than in cities, they require more power to charge, according to the researchers. Their plan involves creating a system capable of charging semitrailers as they travel at speeds of 65 miles per hour. This system is set to be implemented on a test track in Indiana, where special coils installed beneath the roadway would transfer energy directly to the passing vehicles. This would be particularly beneficial for heavy commercial vehicles, as it would allow them to charge while in motion, reducing the need for large batteries and increasing their efficiency and operational capability in freight transport.

Renault Trucks has transformed their heavy electric tractor, the E-Tech T, into a show truck featuring luminescent paint. The E-Tech T Diamond Echo is painted with a special luminescent paint that glows under electrical impulses. Renault Trucks is now taking it on a tour across Europe, aiming to engage with industry experts and discuss the benefits and potential uses of electric mobility. The tour includes seven countries, 60 stops, and over 10,000 kilometers. It kicked off at the factory in Bourg-en-Bresse, where the Diamond Echo was assembled. The show truck will be touring Germany from June 26 to July 14.

ZF has produced the thousandth drive of its CeTrax lite series, an electric central drive designed for light commercial vehicles. This drive is already successfully used by Isuzu in their ELF EV electric vehicles, which are specifically designed for urban delivery traffic. The CeTrax lite, which delivers a peak power of 150 kW and torque of 1,500 Nm, enables efficient and emission-free mobility in urban environmental zones. For 2024, ZF also announced the launch of an advanced model of CeTrax 2. Originally intended for construction vehicles, it will now also be used in heavy trucks and buses. The advantage: it fits into the transmission space of a conventional vehicle, allowing manufacturers the flexibility to offer commercial vehicles on the same platform with either conventional internal combustion engines or electric drives.

VDL Bus & Coach has inaugurated a new factory in Roeselare, Belgium, dedicated to producing electric buses for the Citea series. According to a press release, the construction of the facility reflects the company’s "sustainability and innovation philosophy," from the building's design and its heating and cooling systems to the integrated solar panels and green roof. Spanning 77,000 square meters, the plant is expected to produce 800 buses per year. Further details have yet to be disclosed. Additionally, Citea electric buses will continue to be manufactured at the Valkenswaard site as well.

Voith has developed a turnkey Plug & Drive H2 storage system for heavy-duty vehicles, operating at a pressure of 700 bar. This technology offers a higher energy density compared to the 350-bar systems typically used in heavy-duty vehicles. With the integration of these advanced tanks, which have already received the necessary road approvals in Europe, Voith aims to fully leverage hydrogen technology and contribute to the decarbonization of heavy-duty transport, as announced by the company.