Volvo Trucks, MAHLE, Valeo, SAF-Holland, Continental and more

Volvo Trucks will present an extensive global product lineup at IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024 in Hannover. A highlight is the new Volvo FH Aero series, recently launched for Europe, Asia, and Africa, which includes variants powered by electricity and biofuels. In the US market, the brand-new Volvo VNL, built on an entirely new platform featuring groundbreaking autonomous technologies, has been introduced. The IAA TRANSPORTATION will be the first opportunity to experience the Volvo VNL in Europe. According to the company, the development of both truck models focused on fuel efficiency and safety.

Other models on display will include the Volvo FM Low Entry, equipped exclusively with a battery-electric powertrain, and the Volvo FH16 Aero, featuring a highly efficient 17-liter engine. Volvo Trucks will also showcase its upcoming e-axle technology, which provides greater electric range and optimized driving performance.

Additionally, Volvo Trucks will present its advanced driver assistance systems, including the new Camera Monitor System (CMS), which enhances both aerodynamics and safety by improving visibility. Overall, eight different Volvo Trucks models will be showcased, including:Volvo FH Aero Electric 4x2 with CMS, Volvo FH16 Aero 4x2 with HVO fuel, XXL cab, and CMS, Volvo FMX Electric 6x4 with a three-way tipper, Volvo FM Low Entry 6x2 with a skip loader, Volvo FM Gas Powered 4x2 with CMS, Volvo FE Electric 4x2 with a skip loader, Volvo VNL 860, fully equipped, aVolvo fuel cell test truckThese models highlight Volvo's commitment to innovation, efficiency, and safety in the commercial vehicle sector.

At IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024, Continental will showcase its latest innovations under the theme "Innovating Transportation From Road To Cloud." The goal is to make transportation safer, more connected, and more autonomous. Continental will present a wide range of solutions, from tires and driver assistance systems to advanced vehicle connectivity. This will include state-of-the-art high-performance computers (HPCs) and software, as well as a complete ecosystem that extends from the road to the cloud, enabling software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and autonomous driving functions.

A highlight will be a high-performance computer for the commercial vehicle cockpit and a cross-domain zone control unit that integrates power supply for cockpit and ADAS components. Additionally, Continental will introduce its Automotive Edge Framework CAEdge, a cloud-based development environment designed to facilitate efficient, secure, and rapid development and testing of vehicle software. Intelligent services that utilize real-time data for increased process automation and efficiency will also be showcased, including two new versions of the digital tire management solution ContiConnect.

Continental will demonstrate how their expertise in materials supports the transport industry in reducing environmental impact, such as with the Tough RuNR air springs. They will also present innovative technological solutions for new energy vehicles (NEVs), like thermal management for battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles.

Continental will also provide in-depth insights into their collaboration with Aurora in developing and producing a large-scale Level 4 autonomous driving system. Additionally, two intelligent global tachograph solutions will be introduced, designed to enhance safety and help enforce EU mobility package regulations while providing secure and reliable data services: the intelligent tachograph (V2) DTCO 4.1 and a plug-and-play solution. Visitors will also have the chance to experience a new truck tire that combines the best energy efficiency on the market with excellent braking performance.

MAHLE will also present a wide range of technologies aimed at decarbonizing the transport sector at IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024 in Hannover. For the first time, MAHLE will showcase a heavy-duty E-axle that integrates two SCT electric motors with a total output of 520 kW and a complete liquid management system.

MAHLE engineers have combined the E-axle, battery cooling, and fuel cell peripherals with a fully functional fuel cell into a technology demonstrator, which the company will present in Hannover. This demonstrator aims to show how MAHLE integrates its technologies, including thermal management, into electric vehicles to develop and optimize various options for different customer applications.

Another component of the tech demonstrator is a new evaporative cooling system, making its world debut at IAA TRANSPORTATION. This system is designed to keep the fuel cell at an optimal temperature and provides up to 50 kW more cooling power within the given installation space, according to the company. This innovation is expected to reduce the required fan power and decrease hydrogen consumption by up to 1.5 percent.

SAF-Holland's theme at IAA TRANSPORTATION in Hannover is based on three pillars: "More safety," "More sustainability," and "More partnership." At their joint stand with HALDEX, the company will present new products and technologies designed to enhance safety and sustainability in transportation. One of the highlights is the innovative ModulT truck disc brake system, which offers significant weight savings and cost advantages. This brake system will be standard on a major truck manufacturer's vehicles starting in the third quarter of this year.

Other highlights include modern tire pressure monitoring systems like the SAF Tire Pilot I.Q., which not only warns but also automatically refills air in case of pressure loss, an improved version of Automated Coupling that allows trucks and trailers to couple automatically without the driver leaving the cab, the SAF TRAKr e-trailer axle that uses recuperation to reduce CO2 by converting the trailer's kinetic energy into electrical energy, and the electrohydraulic steering systems from VSE, which contribute to fuel savings with their lightweight design and optimal steering angle. SAF-Holland will also introduce the biodegradable lubricant Holland Recolube Biopower SKX 023, which is made from over 80% renewable raw materials.

At IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024, Valeo will unveil a wide range of new products, including 48V hybrid systems for delivery vans and compact commercial vehicles, particularly suitable for last-mile delivery. Another highlight is the Cyclee technology for e-bikes, which includes a 48V electric motor, an automatic transmission, and predictive software. This technology is particularly suited for e-cargo bikes or tricycles.

Valeo will also present the FlexHeater, an intelligent heating system for electric commercial vehicles that uses interior surfaces to provide additional comfort with minimal energy consumption. Valeo's battery thermal regulation and heat pump thermal management technologies will also be showcased at IAA TRANSPORTATION. Additionally, Valeo will present safety technologies like Aquablade, which cleans the windshield to ensure constant visibility and reduces the driver's reaction time by 315 milliseconds. The Driver Monitoring System (DMS), integrated into the B-pillar of transport vehicles, is designed to prevent driver drowsiness or distraction. Scala-3-LiDAR, the world's first mass-produced 3D laser scanner, is already in use in vehicles on the market. Furthermore, Valeo is developing lighting technologies for trucks to enhance safety with adaptive high beams and HD road projection.

At IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024, LIS Logistische Informationssysteme AG will introduce its latest dashboard feature for the Transport Management System (TMS) WinSped. The focus is on a customizable dashboard designed to make daily tasks more efficient. Users will be able to arrange panels via "drag & drop" and create to-do lists. With just one click on the relevant tile, the area requiring action will open, simplifying processes such as adding missing addresses or handling unconfirmed tours. Additionally, LIS will present the cloud-based LIS Warehouse Management (LWM), specifically developed for European Third Party Logistics (3PL) providers. This system is designed to organize and optimize the internal material flow of warehouses and distribution centers in real-time. Thanks to low-code technology, users can configure their own workflow.

Vehicle component manufacturer Pommier will also present its latest innovations at IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024. A highlight is the new electric underrun protection bar E-XPAND, which offers a cost-effective alternative to hydraulic systems. It is suitable for vehicles ranging from 8 to 40 tons and can operate without special hydraulic installations.

Additionally, Pommier will introduce the new TORSEO 16 UL power-lock handle with HMO technology. This system allows for the central locking and unlocking of vehicle doors via remote control. The miniaturized HMO technology is integrated into the handle, making it nearly invisible and not affecting thermal insulation.

At IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024, the AZuR Project Group for Retreading will present its solutions and the benefits of retreaded branded tires for commercial vehicles. According to a study conducted with the Fraunhofer Institute UMSICHT, retreaded tires save over 60 percent in CO2 emissions compared to new tires. Each retreaded truck tire generates around 135 kg less CO2 emissions, requires two-thirds fewer raw materials, and consumes 50 percent less energy. AZuR is now planning to collaborate with TH Köln to develop testing criteria and analytical methods for the quick assessment of the retreadability of used tires. A Retreading Summit in October 2024 will discuss and decide on further measures to promote this sustainable technology.

The National Cargo Bike Logistics Conference will take place for the fifth time on September 18, 2024, as part of IAA TRANSPORTATION. Under the theme "How Can We Grow Together?" key topics shaping the future of cargo bike logistics will be explored. Highlights for visitors include a free introduction to cargo bike logistics, experiencing the IAA Cargo Bike Course where various cargo bikes can be tested, and the "International Cargobike of the Year Award" (Caboty), which will be presented on September 19 at IAA TRANSPORTATION. The conference is organized by Cargobike.jetzt GmbH and supported by the German Cargo Bike Logistics Association (Radlogistik Verband Deutschland e.V.). It invites stakeholders from the cargo bike logistics industry, companies, and representatives from politics and academia.

A megawatt milestone was reached on July 19 in Plattling, Bavaria: For the first time ever, an electric truck publicly charged its batteries with over 1000 kilowatts and 1500 amps. This was enough to give the 40-ton MAN long-haul eTruck approximately 400 kilometers (about 250 miles) of range in just 30 minutes. The charging debut, attended by Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs, Regional Development, and Energy Hubert Aiwanger, the Chair of the Council of Economic Experts Prof. Monika Schnitzer, and around 200 other guests from politics, media, business, and academia, was part of the results presentation of the NEFTON research project, which started in 2021. Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, the project involved MAN Truck & Bus, the Technical University of Munich (TUM), and five other partners from academia and industry. They analyzed and designed the system consisting of a fully electric truck, charging station, and grid connection for various use cases. The focus was on the Megawatt Charging System (MCS) for ultra-fast charging of electric trucks during the driver’s rest break or while loading and unloading at the dock.

Daimler Truck has opened its new Battery Technology Center (BTC) in Mannheim, which spans over 10,000 square meters and aims to develop innovative solutions for battery-electric commercial vehicles. The BTC is part of a strategic partnership with machine builder Manz and was announced in May 2022.

The BTC will encompass two main areas: prototype-scale battery cell manufacturing and the assembly of prototype battery packs. These prototypes will be tested on test benches and in test vehicles to prepare for future mass production. The goal is to develop and optimize the next generation of lithium-ion batteries for heavy commercial vehicles. The BTC is housed mostly in an existing building that has been extensively renovated and expanded with a 3,000-square-meter addition. Over 60 new facilities have been installed to cover the relevant processes of cell and pack manufacturing. Daimler Truck plans to coat the electrodes in-house to gain extensive insights into cell chemistry and test cells with different properties.