Volvo Trucks, PwC-Studie, Zero Emission Summit 2024, Sharp and more

Volvo Trucks North America has delivered 70 VNR Electric trucks, supported by a $21.5 million initiative from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the South Coast Air Quality Management District. The objective is to enhance air quality in Southern California and encourage the adoption of zero-emission vehicles in freight transportation. The battery-electric trucks are part of the "SWITCH-ON" project and will be used in various fleets, including NFI, which has ordered a total of 60 e-trucks. By 2025, these trucks will collect data on performance in transportation to gain insights into their operation. In addition to SWITCH-ON, Volvo Trucks introduced "Volvo on Demand," a Truck-as-a-Service model to facilitate the transition to electric trucks. To date, the company has delivered over 570 fully electric trucks in the USA and Canada.

A recent PwC study indicates that electric trucks could largely replace diesel models by 2030. By that time, more than one in five trucks and buses are expected to be battery-electric, with an estimated 600,000 e-trucks sold worldwide. The shift in the logistics sector is being driven by stricter CO₂ regulations and lower operating costs. MAN CEO Alexander Vlaskamp agrees: "We believe in the e-truck." While there is an initial increase in costs, the reduction in operational expenses makes a notable impact on the overall financial picture. An annual mileage of 60,000 to 100,000 kilometers could result in savings of up to 30,000 euros. Depending on usage, subsidies, and electricity prices, an e-truck can become cost-effective within three to five years. MAN is preparing all its plants and garages for electric mobility and anticipates that by 2030, every second truck sold in Europe will be fully electric. To promote the necessary charging infrastructure, MAN is collaborating with E.ON and investing together with Daimler Truck and Volvo Trucks in the joint venture Milence, which is establishing public charging stations at logistics hubs across Europe. Vlaskamp underscores the importance of stable regulations and rapid infrastructure expansion in meeting the EU's ambitious CO₂ reduction goals.

At IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024, all truck manufacturers showcased efficient and practical electric trucks, emphasizing: "We deliver." While the vehicles are ready, the necessary infrastructure to fully implement the shift in freight transport is still lacking.  The Zero Emission Summit (ZES) on November 5th at the Schaeffler headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany will address how to accelerate the transition. High-ranking representatives from politics, vehicle manufacturing, the supplier industry, and logistics companies will discuss current challenges such as charging infrastructure and profitability without subsidies. The participants include MAN CEO Alexander Vlaskamp, Schmitz Cargobull CEO Andreas Schmitz, and Bavaria's Minister of the Interior, Joachim Herrmann. The summit is aimed at freight forwarders and decision-makers in the transport and logistics sector. Registration is still open. The event will conclude with the presentation of the prestigious Eco Performance Award (EPA), which honors outstanding sustainability initiatives in the industry.

Japanese electronics company Sharp has unveiled its electric passenger transporter LDK+. Sharp plans to launch its own electric vehicles by the end of the decade, starting in Japan. The LDK+ is designed as a mobile living room and utilizes Sharp’s AI technology CE-LLM to combine comfort with sustainability. Unique features include rear seats that swivel to face rearward and liquid crystal shutters that create a private space. A large screen in the rear can serve as a movie theater, game room or workspace on the go. The vehicle is equipped with a storage battery and solar cells for optimal energy management between home and vehicle. Sharp is following in the footsteps of Sony, which has already unveiled electric car prototypes and formed the Afeela joint venture with Honda. Other electronics companies such as Xiaomi and Huawei have also launched their first electric cars.

French bus manufacturer Bolloré presented its new Bluebus at IAA TRANSPORTATION 2024. This fully electric bus is equipped with the company's proprietary solid-state battery technology. These batteries offer 50% higher energy density and enable charging times of just 20 minutes—a significant improvement over the previous 4 to 5 hours. The next-generation battery will provide a range of up to 600 kilometers for the 12-meter bus, compared to the current 380 kilometers. In addition to the existing 6- and 12-meter models, Bolloré also plans to introduce an 18-meter electric bus to better meet the demands of public transportation. Also the Chinese manufacturer BYD recently unveiled three new electric buses with lengths of 12, 13, and 18 meters, expanding its range of emission-free transport solutions and underscoring the global trend toward electrification in the bus segment.

MAN Truck & Bus has introduced the digital service MAN SimplePay in partnership with mobility service provider UTA Edenred. The platform aims to simplify operating cost management and provide transparency over fleet costs. Fuel and charging cards can be digitally stored and prioritized. Fleet managers can integrate UTA fuel cards into the platform, offering a comprehensive overview of all transactions—even for vehicles from other manufacturers. According to Kerstin Rummel, Senior Vice President at MAN Truck & Bus, this increases efficiency in fleet management and simplifies drivers' daily routines. Drivers can use the MAN Driver App to find gas stations, parking lots or car washes and make contactless transactions. This provides additional security and saves time. The UTA Edenred network comprises around 85,000 acceptance points in 40 countries. Currently, 3,500 gas stations in several European countries support the contactless functionality of MAN SimplePay.