Milence, Goodyear, T-COMM, Prometeon, Goldhofer and more

In less than two months, IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024 will open its doors, and it has now introduced the exclusive Startup Area in Hall 12, which will be directly integrated into the exhibition space. This area will feature 34 carefully selected startups from 15 different countries, showcasing groundbreaking solutions for the future of mobility. These include cutting-edge technologies and solutions in the fields of batteries, artificial intelligence, autonomous driving, hydrogen and electric engines, as well as emission-free cooling technologies. Throughout the week, the Industry Stage will host themed pitch sessions, where startups can present their innovative solutions to a broad professional audience. A special highlight will be the Pioneers Linkup event on Thursday evening in Hall 18. This exclusive networking event aims to bring together the most innovative minds in the industry, fostering connections between established companies, investors, and startups. Another highlight of IAA TRANSPORTATION will be the Prototype Club, where innovators can showcase their concepts and engage with industry experts to gain valuable insights and feedback.

Milence, the joint venture between Daimler Truck, the TRATON GROUP, and the Volvo Group, has successfully tested a new Megawatt Charging System (MCS) in collaboration with Power Electronics. This significant milestone was achieved using a prototype of the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600. The technology is designed to charge batteries in about 30 minutes, significantly enhancing the efficiency and practicality of electric trucks for long-haul transport. The test achieved a charging power of 1,100 kilowatts. Further tests with different truck brands are planned to ensure the system is market-ready. At IAA TRANSPORTATION, Milence will showcase their latest developments and European network expansion plans, along with offering workshops on the topic.

At IAA TRANSPORTATION, Goodyear will present its comprehensive solution, Goodyear Total Mobility. According to the company, this solution is designed to enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of fleets while supporting their sustainability goals. Goodyear will also showcase its recently launched Tires-as-a-Service offering. This subscription-based solution is aimed at reducing the overall operating costs of fleets. It is intended to save time and money by outsourcing tire management, increasing fleet availability, and reducing the number of tire-related vehicle breakdowns. Through interactive screens and personal interactions with Goodyear experts, visitors will learn how to boost fleet efficiency while pursuing their sustainability objectives.

T Comm Telematics GmbH, a specialist in the digitization of temperature data for refrigerated transport and storage, has completed its acquisition of FleetFrame GmbH, which began just over a year ago, and has now integrated their solutions. At IAA TRANSPORTATION, T Comm will debut as a merged company, focusing on the continued development of their user platform. The driver app will allow drivers to view temperatures and send reports. Additionally, T Comm has partnered with the Imbema Transport & Logistics Group. Users of SBS locks will be able to access detailed information through T Comm’s telematics solution, including the current location of trailers, door status, locking conditions, break-ins, and cargo temperatures. This information will be displayed on a customizable interface, and alerts can be received via email or SMS. Experts from Imbema will also be at IAA TRANSPORTATION to demonstrate how this integration works with T Comm’s telematics solution.

Prometeon is making its debut as a fully independent tire brand at IAA TRANSPORTATION. This brand relaunch for the commercial vehicle tire business, which was spun off from Pirelli in 2017, is taking place on the international stage this year. The Prometeon Tyre Group specializes in the development, production, and marketing of commercial vehicle, agricultural, and off-the-road (OTR) tires. Their offerings also include a variety of service and fleet management solutions, such as Pro Check, Pro Management, Pro Time, Pro Campus, and Prometeon Fleet Fit.

At IAA TRANSPORTATION, Goldhofer will showcase the five-axle "STEPSTAR" Z. The entire "STEPSTAR" low-bed trailer lineup is designed to impress with high payloads despite low tare weight and a well-thought-out load securing concept, making them ideal for transporting heavy and large loads and handling a variety of transport tasks across Europe. These versatile semi-trailers feature an optimal payload-to-weight ratio and additional twist-locks for transporting 10-foot construction containers. The TRAILSTAR will also be available with the new Goldhofer "CargoPlus" tires, designed for ten or twelve-ton axle loads, offering a usable loading height of 780 mm (-60/+140 mm).

Visitors to the Goldhofer booth at IAA TRANSPORTATION will also be able to view a complete transport rig consisting of a MAN heavy-duty tractor and an extended materials carrier combined with a 5-axle trailing dolly of the SN-L type. This rig is suitable for use in both the wind energy and construction sectors. Additionally, IAA TRANSPORTATION will mark the first time the synergy between Goldhofer's two business units, "Transport Technology" and "Airport Technology," will be on display. In the outdoor area of Goldhofer's partner, Terberg Spezialfahrzeuge GmbH, the emission-free "SHERPA" E cargo tractor, designed for industrial applications, will be showcased.

Brigade Electronics will present its latest driver assistance and safety systems at IAA TRANSPORTATION. These technologies aim to enhance road safety while also increasing vehicle efficiency. Visitors to the booth in Hannover will learn about Brigade Electronics' solutions in areas such as blind spot detection, backup cameras, and departure warning systems. According to the company, these systems use cameras and radar sensors. A key highlight will be the upgraded "Backeye 360" system, which now incorporates artificial intelligence. Originally introduced in 2013, this intelligent camera system provides a full 360-degree view of the vehicle by connecting four cameras positioned around the vehicle and displaying the combined image on a single screen. The AI-enhanced "Backeye 360" from Brigade is designed to integrate seamlessly into a vehicle's existing infrastructure and is compatible with a wide range of AI-driven devices.

Lamilux Composites will showcase the world's most UV-resistant GRP surface at IAA TRANSPORTATION. The new Lamilux Sunsation technology promises to redefine the standards for outdoor applications, as well as the appearance, maintenance, and quality of fiber-reinforced plastics. According to the company, this Gelcoat technology offers 20 times better UV resistance compared to currently available Gelcoats on the market. At IAA TRANSPORTATION, Lamilux will display three demonstration objects made from GRP, including durable materials like High Impact with an AntiBac surface for last-mile vehicles and Lamilux Fabric S or Impact to protect underbodies from stone chipping. In the bus sector, Lamilux will also showcase materials like Lamifoamtex with a soft-touch surface and Composite Floor for interior applications.

FES GmbH from Saxony has unveiled a production-ready hydrogen fuel cell truck in the presence of Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer. This vehicle, based on a MAN TGM chassis, is set to hit the roads in 2025, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional diesel trucks. The truck will be available in various configurations, with gross vehicle weights ranging from 12 to 26 tons and total towing weights of up to 40 tons when paired with trailers.

The FES fuel cell truck features an electric dual-motor drivetrain with a continuous output of 280 kW and, starting in 2025, a 30-second boost of up to 308 kW. The fuel cell system, supplied by Toyota, will provide a continuous output of 120 kW, which is expected to increase to 170 kW by 2025. The carbon fiber hydrogen tank will hold 33 kilograms of hydrogen at 700 bar, enabling a range of 350 to 500 kilometers. Additionally, a 57-kWh buffer battery will be integrated, offering a 40-kilometer range reserve and short-term boost power.

Electric truck manufacturer Windrose is planning to build electric trucks in both the US and Europe, employing an innovative production strategy. The production facility in Georgia will use chassis and other vehicle parts sourced from China to assemble the electric trucks for the US market. Each truck is expected to have batteries with more than 700 kWh capacity, offering a range of over 670 kilometers when fully loaded (49 tons). Additionally, a new plant is set to be established in Belgium.

Windrose has already secured orders for 6,400 vehicles, which are scheduled to be built and delivered over the next three years.

Daimler Truck has begun customer trials of five Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Trucks. After extensive internal testing, the company has handed over the first five pre-production units to customers for real-world logistics operations. These hydrogen fuel cell trucks are being tested by companies such as Air Products, Amazon, Holcim, Ineos, and Wiedmann & Winz, each utilizing the vehicles in various long-haul applications. Amazon is deploying the GenH2 Truck within its logistics network in Germany, Air Products is using it for transporting bottled gases, Wiedmann & Winz for sea containers, Holcim for construction material logistics, and Vervaeke for transporting PVC and vinyl.

According to Daimler Truck, the GenH2 Trucks are equipped with two fuel cell systems providing a total output of 300 kW (2x 150 kW) and a 70 kWh battery that can deliver up to 400 kW of power for short periods. The trucks feature two electric motors with a continuous output of 2x 230 kW and a maximum output of 2x 330 kW. The tanks are designed to hold 44 kilograms of cryogenically stored liquid hydrogen, kept at -253 degrees Celsius, which offers a higher energy density than gaseous hydrogen. This setup is expected to provide a range of over 1,000 kilometers, as demonstrated by Daimler Truck during a test drive last September.

Berlin-based fleet rental company Cycle has acquired the Dutch company Ebike for Delivery, which specializes in electric delivery bikes. The acquisition includes the team, the bikes, and the leasing contracts. The Ebike for Delivery brand, along with its service and production in Nijmegen, will remain unchanged.

Founded in 2018 by Luis Orsini-Rosenberg and Nikodemus Seilern as Get Henry, Cycle positions itself as a provider of e-bike fleets for the delivery industry across Europe. With this acquisition, the company aims to strengthen its position in the market and capitalize on the growing demand for eco-friendly delivery solutions.

Air Products is planning to establish a European hydrogen refueling network to supply renewable hydrogen for heavy-duty vehicles. A key component of this plan is the new hydrogen liquefaction plant in Rotterdam, which is expected to double Europe’s total capacity for liquid hydrogen. The company has already secured funding from the European Commission under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) program for both existing and planned refueling stations. These include locations in Rotterdam (Netherlands), Hürth (Germany), the Port of Ghent (Belgium), and Zeebrugge (Belgium).

In collaboration with Daimler Truck, Air Products' latest mobile liquid hydrogen refueling station in Duisburg will be used in a pilot project for hydrogen-powered trucks. This station will allow five Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Trucks to refuel, enabling the station to operate under real-world conditions.