Daimler Truck, Porsche, Siemens, Renault Trucks and more

Four months before the kickoff of IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024, we are excited to launch the official IAA TRANSPORTATION Podcast. You can get a comprehensive overview of the current and future trends and developments in the transportation and logistics industry, as well as learn about various aspects of IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024, which will be held from September 17-22, 2024, at the Hannover exhibition grounds. Our topics will range from electromobility and the current state of charging and hydrogen infrastructure to trends such as autonomous driving and artificial intelligence.  In our first episode, we are joined by Jürgen Mindel. As the Managing Director responsible for “Association Management and Communication” at the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), he oversees all VDA communications and the conceptual and organizational execution of both IAA MOBILITY and IAA TRANSPORTATION.We'll discuss with him the main themes, formats, and aspects of IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024.

Daimler Truck and Netze BW have launched an initiative to expand the charging infrastructure for electric heavy-duty trucks along the Autobahns. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding with the government of Baden-Württemberg to integrate charging infrastructure for electric trucks along highways in the state. The focus of the agreement is to simplify the construction of high-voltage network connections at selected rest areas. This includes the locations of the Autobahn rest areas at Bruchsal (A5), Kraichgau (A6), Hohenlohe (A6), Illertal (A7), Denkendorf (A8), and Jagsttal (A81). Netze BW will prepare the necessary network expansion. The start date for construction has not yet been announced.

Porsche is increasingly focusing on alternative drives and fuels in its transportation logistics to reduce CO2 emissions. In addition to long-standing use of trucks powered by biogas (CNG and LNG), the sports car manufacturer is now deploying six new electric trucks at its Zuffenhausen, Weissach, and Leipzig locations in collaboration with its logistics partners, primarily from Scania. Logistics partners Keller Group, Müller – Die Lila Logistik, and Elflein have also committed to powering these electric trucks with green electricity. This also applies to the new electric truck used by logistics company Galliker, which delivers new vehicles from the Porsche Zuffenhausen plant to the Swiss market. The electric trucks will transport production materials around the factories, supplementing an existing fleet of 22 biogas-powered trucks. Furthermore, the company is testing the use of synthetic diesel fuels (HVO100) in a multi-year trial under the scientific supervision of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). These so-called re-fuels are being used by Porsche around the Zuffenhausen plant in twelve trucks from the existing fleet.

OMV and Siemens have inaugurated a new charging station in Laakirchen, Austria, capable of delivering up to 400 kW of power. This station is specifically designed for heavy-duty trucks and can charge multiple vehicles simultaneously. According to the partners, this is the first Siemens Sicharge D type charger ever with this level of charging power. The new, more powerful version of the Sicharge D—previously available up to 300 kW—enables dynamic charging of up to four vehicles at the same time and maintains a steady output of 400 kW even at an ambient temperature of 40°C.

Renault Trucks and Meiller have collaborated to introduce the first all-electric three-way tipper, based on the Renault E-Tech D Wide 4x2. This vehicle is primarily intended for transport tasks in construction, municipal services, and landscaping. It is based on the Renault Trucks E-Tech D Wide and features a tipping bridge that is 4.8 meters long and 2.45 meters wide. With four battery packs and a total capacity of 376 kWh, the truck offers a power output of up to 370 kW. The development of this electric three-way tipper marks another step by Renault Trucks towards the electrification of the construction industry, aiming to fight climate change and provide more efficient, eco-friendly construction vehicles.

Maxus has introduced the eDeliver 5, a new electric van now being launched in Germany, positioned between the existing models eDeliver 3 and eDeliver 7. The eDeliver 5 offers a range of 335 kilometers (WLTP), a payload capacity of up to 1.2 tons, and a cargo volume of 6.6 to 7.6 cubic meters. It is equipped with a 64-kWh battery and a 120-kW electric motor.

American bus manufacturer Gillig has announced plans to offer hydrogen buses starting in 2026, developed in collaboration with BAE Systems and Ballard Power Systems. According to the company, these buses are designed to operate in various climates and terrains. Further details have not yet been released. Previously, Gillig focused on purely battery-powered and hybrid buses.

In China, the world’s largest battery-electric container ship has commenced regular operations on a route between Shanghai and Nanjing, traveling nearly 1,000 kilometers along the Yangtze River without needing to recharge. Developed by the China Ocean Shipping Group (Cosco), the ship named Greenwater 01 measures 120 meters in length and 24 meters in width. It has a battery capacity of 50,000 kWh, which can be expanded up to 80,000 kWh. The battery-electric propulsion enables the ship to save 3,900 kilograms of fuel per 100 nautical miles (185.2 kilometers) and reduce CO2 emissions by 12.4 tons. The freight capacity of Greenwater 01 is 700 TEU, where one TEU is equivalent to a 20-foot standard container. According to Cosco, this ship not only sets world records for the length, width, and carrying capacity of a battery-electric vessel but also for container capacity.