Ford Pro, PEM, CATL, Mercedes-Benz Trucks and more

By early next year, Ford Pro plans to electrify its complete commercial vehicle fleet, meaning that at least one electrified model will be offered in each series. This commitment to electrification is also highlighted at Ford Pro’s booth at this year’s IAA TRANSPORTATION. From September 17-22, 2024, in Hannover, Ford Pro will display its entire electrified lineup: from the E-Transit, Europe's best-selling electric van in the 2-ton payload segment, already on the market since 2022 and due for an update this year with a new, larger battery. The lineup also includes the fully electric 1-ton E-Transit Custom and the compact Transit Connect with plug-in hybrid technology (PHEV), both already available for order. The electric variant of the high-roof van, E-Transit Courier, and the Ranger PHEV, Europe’s first pick-up with a plug-in hybrid, are set to follow in early 2025. A special focus will be on the Ranger PHEV, which will debut in Hannover.

With the launch of the E-Transit Custom, Ford Pro recently introduced an innovative home charging solution for small and medium-sized businesses in Europe. This solution includes training, installation, maintenance, and a five-year warranty on the equipment. The integrated charging management software allows for scheduling charging sessions during periods with lower electricity rates and remote programming, further reducing operational costs. The solution is aimed at businesses without a central vehicle depot and a dedicated fleet manager. Drivers can conveniently charge their company cars overnight using a Ford Pro home charging station. The system interacts with the Ford Pro Telematics system, facilitating easy reimbursement of travel expenses and compliance with accounting requirements.

The Aachen-based logistics company Hammer, in collaboration with the Chair for Production Engineering of E-Mobility Components (PEM) at Aachen University, is deploying new software for route planning of battery electric trucks in real-world conditions. This software considers current ranges and available charging points to ensure safe and efficient route planning. The project, known as "DRivE" (Data-based Route Planning in Road Freight Transport with Various Energy Supply Technologies), will explore through the end of 2024 how digital tools can facilitate the transition to eco-friendly heavy-duty trucks in long-haul operations. The goal is optimization of route planning to identify charging stations providing enough power and are easily accessible by vehicles. During the pilot phase, the system will be tested in actual use to demonstrate its reliability and identify any gaps in the programming. Partners in the project include PEM, Hammer Road Cargo, Maintrans International Forwarding, Mansio GmbH, ZeKju GmbH, FIR e.V. at RWTH Aachen, and Park Your Truck GmbH. The latter recently launched the first charging park on one of its company-owned truck parking lots. The project is supported by the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV).

The Chinese battery manufacturer CATL has introduced a new brand called Tianxing for commercial vehicle batteries. These batteries are designed to offer capacities ranging from 30 to 200 kWh and are suitable for a variety of commercial vehicles across different sectors. CATL uses a dual-layer large-area liquid cooling system and innovative insulation materials from the aerospace industry. The adoption of the Cell-to-Pack (CTP) approach aims to increase energy density, reduce weight, and save costs.

The initial products include the Tianxing L Superfast Charging Edition and the Tianxing L Long Range Edition, both designed for light commercial vehicles. The Superfast Charging Edition features a 140kW unit that can be fully recharged in just 15 minutes and restore 60% of its charge in only twelve minutes, while the Long Range Edition has a 200 kWh capacity and is suited for middle and long-distance transport services, boasting a range of 500 kilometers. CATL also noted that these batteries are already in mass production and integrated into 21 models from 13 different companies, including Dongfeng and SAIC Maxus.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks recently launched the largest testing drive in the company's history in Frankfurt with two showcase models of the eActros600. After twelve days and 2,756 miles, these two electric long-haul trucks, each with a total permissible weight of 40 tons, have reached the northernmost point of their testing drive. Another significant milestone will be reaching Tarifa, Spain, the southernmost point of mainland Europe. In Norway, the trucks completed the longest stretch of the tour on a single battery charge, covering 298 miles primarily on rural roads with challenging terrain and still had a remaining range of 19 miles. The "European Testing Tour" will take these electric trucks through more than 20 European countries, covering over 8,077 miles in total. So far, the trucks have traveled through Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, with Czech Republic, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy, Monaco, France, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg to come.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has opened a new development center for commercial vehicle-specific electric motors in Gaggenau, Germany. The center will focus on process development and prototype construction of electric motors tailored for commercial vehicles. It will be equipped with state-of-the-art machinery specifically designed to produce electric motors. Mercedes-Benz Trucks is collaborating with Gehring on this initiative. The aim is to build prototypes of "truck-e-fied" electric motors and to further develop and test production processes. One of the development focuses is on so-called hairpin windings, where solid copper rods in the shape of a hairpin form the coils for the electromagnet of the stator, which allows for a higher copper fill factor compared to coils made from wound copper wire, thus achieving higher energy density.

The German Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV) is set to aid truck drivers in locating parking spaces using real-time data from the toll system. This initiative aims to systematically capture and transmit the occupancy rates of truck parking spaces at rest stops. Toll Collect and the Federal Office for Logistics and Mobility (BALM) have signed a contract to establish and operate a Parking Information Service (SID). Through the SID, this information will be made available as open data in the federal mobility database. This data can be utilized by truck navigation application providers and the Autobahn GmbH of the Federation to facilitate the search for parking spaces for truck drivers. The SID will be gradually developed to include the occupancy status of all approximately 1,900 rest stops on German highways by mid-2026. Private parking operators are also intended to be integrated into the system.

CASE Construction Equipment has expanded its product line with the electric wheel loader 12EV. Weighing 8,377 pounds with a payload capacity of 2,535 pounds when using pallet forks, the 12EV offers performance comparable to its diesel predecessor. Equipped with a cobalt-free 23-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the wheel loader can operate for three to six hours, depending on the application.

A standard 230-volt charger is included for overnight battery charging. An optional 400-volt fast charger can charge the battery from 20% to 80% in just one hour, potentially enabling all-day operation if charged during a lunch break. Two electric motors power the machine: a 17-kW motor for the axles and a 22-kW motor for the hydraulic system. The 12EV is particularly suited for use in areas with limited space and noise-sensitive environments such as residential areas, hospitals, and night operations.

Torsus has introduced the new military transporter Terrastorm, based on the MAN TGE and VW Crafter and developed in collaboration with Rheinmetall. It features high ground clearance, all-wheel drive, and is designed for use in extreme terrain conditions. The Terrastorm includes enhanced body structure, special off-road tires, and a powerful chassis. Designed for military and humanitarian missions, it accommodates up to 20 passengers. Torsus emphasizes that the Terrastorm can reliably operate in challenging environments such as deserts, mountains, and muddy areas.

EVUM Motors has launched a new dump truck variant of their renowned aCar. The Work Box Dumper (WBK) is equipped with a 230-volt inverter, allowing it to power small battery-operated devices directly from the vehicle. This feature makes the WBK particularly suitable for tasks in locations without conventional power sources. The WBK utilizes the aCar's drivetrain, which includes a 20 kW all-wheel drive. Battery options of 16.5 or 23 kWh offer a range of up to 75 miles and a top speed of 43 mph.