HVO100, Daimler Truck, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and more

German gas stations now offer the new fuel, HVO100. HVO100 is a synthetic diesel predominantly made from sustainable waste and residual materials like used cooking oils. Through a catalytic reaction with hydrogen, these residues are converted into hydrocarbons, making the fuel similar to conventional diesel. HVO100 can be used either as a pure fuel or mixed with traditional diesel, providing a better environmental footprint and reduced emissions of particulates and nitrogen oxides. However, HVO100 costs about 20 cents more per liter than conventional diesel. To prevent confusion, HVO100 is labeled with the addition XTL, which stands for Power-to-Liquid fuels. The widespread distribution of HVO100 in Germany is set to occur gradually. 

Daimler Truck North America has introduced a new strategy for the recycling of electric vehicle batteries, focusing on repair, refurbishment, reuse, and recycling. The initiative aims to keep materials and products, especially those involving rare earth elements, in circulation for as long as possible. A key consideration is determining when a lithium-ion battery no longer meets the standards for use in vehicles. The strategy ensures that valuable raw materials within the batteries are not lost and that the batteries are disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner. According to the strategy, batteries from electric trucks will be collected at the end of their lifecycle and dismantled in specialized recycling facilities. There, valuable raw materials like lithium, cobalt, and nickel will be recovered and re-introduced into the cycle. If a battery or component of an electric vehicle can no longer be maintained, it will be refurbished at Detroit Diesel Remanufacturing locations in the U.S. to be reused in vehicles. Daimler Truck North America is collaborating with various partners to implement this strategy, including Nuvation Energy, to integrate batteries no longer suitable for vehicle use into stationary energy storage systems, and the recycling company Li-Cycle, which will handle batteries only suitable for dismantling and recycling. 

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has announced that the successor to the popular VW Transporter T6 will be available in three different powertrain options. Alongside traditional gasoline and diesel engines, there will also be a plug-in hybrid and a fully electric version. The new VW Transporter T7, set to launch in the first quarter of 2025, is expected to be significantly more modern and sophisticated in design and features than its predecessor. Additionally, with the various powertrain options, it aims to provide the perfect answer to every need and application. The new transporter is being developed in collaboration with Ford, based on the new Ford Transit Custom. "The seventh generation of the Bulli picks up on the typical design features of its six predecessors and reinterprets them. This tradition has always marked a new visual beginning, a stylistic bridge between a long history, the present, and the future. This is what has kept this series young for over eight decades and made it the most successful transporter series of its class in the world," says Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. 

Charging infrastructure provider Milence has announced plans to speed up its network expansion in Germany. Milence has begun by opening two ultra-fast charging stations in North Rhine-Westphalia. Each station features six charging points with a capacity of up to 350 kW. The stations are expected to become operational in the upcoming months. By the end of 2024, Milence plans to establish around 500 charging points along key TEN-T corridors in Germany. The company is focusing on a combination of ultra-fast charging stations and charging pillars with capacities up to 22 kW. 

Construction equipment manufacturer Caterpillar, in collaboration with Brazilian mining company Vale, has unveiled a new electric truck for mining. The electric-driven CAT 795F AC is designed to help reduce costs of transporting ore and other materials and to minimize environmental impact. The Cat 793 BEV itself weighs 404 tons and has a maximum load capacity of 240 tons. In tests, the electric dump truck reached a speed of 60 km/h and was able to cover seven kilometers. It also managed slight inclines, albeit at significantly reduced speeds. In tests, the dump truck climbed a ten percent gradient at a speed of 12 km/h. 

The FG Umwelttechnik has unveiled the Elephant E-Power, an electric suction and flushing vehicle based on a Volvo E-Truck, which features a power output of 200 kilowatts and a range of up to 200 kilometers. The truck is equipped with various tools and devices for sewer cleaning and can be quickly recharged using a special charging rail. 

Volvo Buses has announced that it will soon begin the testing phase for its new electric articulated buses in Latin America. These are the first buses based on the BZR Electric platform introduced in March. The new electric articulated buses from Volvo Buses are driven by two 200-kW electric motors, providing a total of 400 kW. They also feature an automated two-speed transmission. At the time of its launch, the electric articulated bus will be produced at Volvo industrial complex in Curitiba. From there, the electric bus can be exported to several countries with cities that have BRT systems. Initial tests will take place in Curitiba (Brazil), Bogotá (Colombia), and Mexico City. 

The food logistics provider Nagel-Group has announced that it is now using electric refrigerated trailers. These trailers are designed to enable emission-free and noise-free refrigeration operations. The first electric refrigerated trailer from Nagel-Group was recently put into operation and will be tested on various routes in the coming months to evaluate its practicality. The electric trailer has a range of up to 200 kilometers and can be quickly and easily recharged thanks to modern battery technology. Nagel-Group sees great potential in electrifying refrigerated trailers to reduce the environmental impact of transporting food. Additionally, the new e-trailers are expected to help lower transportation costs, as they consume significantly less energy compared to conventional diesel trucks.