MAN, Renault, Daimler Truck, Linde, Nissan, Mastercard

Following intense negotiations, EU member states have reached an agreement on new CO2 fleet emission standards for trucks and buses. These fleet emission standards dictate the allowable future emissions of climate-damaging CO2 by vehicles. Under the new regulations, CO2 fleet emissions from trucks over 7.5 tons and coaches are required to be reduced by 45 percent by 2030, 65 percent by 2035, and 90 percent by 2040 compared to 2019 levels. For city buses, an even more ambitious target has been set: a 100 percent reduction in CO2 fleet emissions by 2035, with an interim target of 90 percent by 2030. Additionally, trucks and buses powered exclusively by e-fuels will be granted indefinite approval. This measure aims to provide legal certainty for both commercial vehicle manufacturers and producers of climate-neutral fuels. Already in January, EU state negotiators had agreed that new and stricter requirements for so-called fleet emission limits should be introduced. 

In 2023, Europe opened 37 new hydrogen fueling stations, with an additional 12 in Japan, 29 in South Korea, and seven in North America. 92 percent of the new hydrogen stations in Europe can also refuel heavy-duty vehicles. This is according to H2stations.org, an information service provided by the Ludwig-Bölkow-Systemtechnik (LBST), indicating that 40 countries have hydrogen refueling infrastructure operational or under construction. By the end of 2023, there were 921 hydrogen fueling stations worldwide, primarily located in East Asia including China, Japan, and South Korea, Central Europe, and along the East and West Coasts of the United States. In Europe, there were 265 hydrogen fueling stations by the end of 2023, with Germany leading the count with 105, followed by France with 51, the Netherlands with 22, and Switzerland with 17 stations. Most of the new hydrogen stations in Europe are designed to fuel heavy-duty vehicles, reflecting a shift in focus from fuel cell passenger cars to commercial vehicles, according to the information service. Germany is also upgrading existing stations to serve heavy-duty vehicles. Internationally, East Asia and the US are leading in the number of hydrogen fueling stations. 

Elexon, a provider of charging solutions, is now the new system supplier for the European Loading Fleet of International Forwarders, known as ELVIS. With a shared goal to drive the transition towards an eco-friendly transportation industry, a framework agreement has been established. This agreement aims to grant the more than 250 partners in the ELVIS network access to a wide range of e-truck charging solutions tailored to the logistics industry's needs. Elexon is set to offer a variety of solutions for electrifying truck fleets, ranging from AC and DC charging technologies to Megawatt Charging Systems (MCS). A key focus will also be on knowledge sharing and exchange with ELVIS members about the latest developments and challenges in the e-truck charging sector. 

Telematics hardware manufacturer Geotab has announced the creation of the Geotab Sustainability Alliance, an initiative designed to support companies in the electrification and decarbonization of their fleets. The alliance aims to bring together leading technology and energy solution providers to offer fleet operators the tools and expertise needed to optimize their sustainability efforts. Participants include OEMs for electric vehicles, providers of charging management and stations, fuel management experts, partners for route optimization, consultants for electric fleets and sustainability, and providers of innovative solutions such as ESG software, battery management, and Charging-as-a-Service. Initially, the alliance consists of 28 partners and is expected to grow continuously. 

Mastercard and Last Mile Solutions have announced a partnership to establish new payment standards for the electric vehicle (EV) charging industry. To this end, the companies are introducing a universal terminal solution for EV charging across Europe. This new payment gateway solution will enable Charge Point Operators (CPOs) to seamlessly integrate their charging stations with various payment terminal brands. The aim is to standardize the user experience, simplify the integration of payment terminals, and streamline transaction processing. The solution is set to be launched across Europe early this year to support compliance with the new EU AFIR regulation. This regulation mandates that publicly accessible charging points constructed from April 13, 2024, onwards must allow ad hoc charging using a widely used payment instrument in the European Union, and operators must facilitate electronic payments at these points through devices and facilities. 

Daimler Truck and Linde have introduced a cutting-edge refueling technology for liquid hydrogen (LH2) designed to store and transport hydrogen in its liquid form at very low temperatures. The aim is to achieve a higher energy density and thus, longer ranges for trucks. The first public LH2 refueling station has now been opened in Wörth am Rhein, Germany. Starting in mid-2024, it is expected to be available for initial customer trials with the Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck by selected logistics customers. The station, with an energy consumption of only 0.05 kWh/kg, is projected to use about 30 times less energy compared to conventional refueling with gaseous hydrogen. Additionally, it boasts a remarkably small footprint of only 50 square meters, accommodating multiple dispensing pumps for simultaneous refueling of trucks, as well as sequential refueling of multiple vehicles. The liquid hydrogen storage is also expected to have a capacity of four tons, sufficient for about ten hours of continuous refueling, with the option to expand to over eight tons per day. 

The LH2 technology is anticipated to offer numerous advantages over traditional refueling methods, including faster refueling times and lower operating costs. For example, refueling a 40-ton heavy-duty truck with 80 kilograms of liquid hydrogen using this new technology is estimated by Daimler Truck and Linde Engineering to take only about 10–15 minutes, enabling a range of 1,000 kilometers (over 620 miles) or more. Daimler Truck and Linde aim to establish LH2 as the standard refueling method for hydrogen-powered trucks in the future. The technology has been standardized in an open ISO process and is intended to be freely accessible to all interested parties. 

MAN Truck & Bus has claimed the top spot in the European market for electric buses. In 2023 alone, 780 MAN electric buses were registered in Europe. With a market share of approximately 13.3 percent, MAN Truck & Bus has become the number one brand. The sales figures for MAN electric buses in Europe reflect a similar trend: the commercial vehicle manufacturer sold a total of 771 electric buses in 2023, tripling the sales of the Lion’s City E compared to the previous year (263 electric buses in 2022). The markets in Germany, Sweden, Spain, Norway, and Belgium lead in numbers. Nearly 80 percent of all Lion’s City E buses registered in Europe in 2023 are operating in these five countries. The fully electric city bus, MAN Lion’s City E, was awarded “Bus of the Year 2023” and “Sustainable Bus of the Year 2024.” 

Renault has revealed new details about the latest generation of the Master E-Tech Electric. It will be available with two battery options: 40 kWh and 87 kWh. For the battery-powered versions, there are two electric motors to choose from: one with 96 kW/130 hp and another with 105 kW/143 hp, offering a range of approximately 200 kilometers (about 124 miles) and up to 460 kilometers (about 286 miles), respectively. The new model is expected to require 27 percent less energy than its predecessor. Additionally, the new Master E-Tech Electric is designed to have a payload capacity of 1,625 kilograms (approximately 3,583 pounds) and a towing capacity of 2.5 tons, with a total permissible weight of 4 tons. 

Built on the same platform as the fourth generation of the Renault Master E-Tech, in collaboration with Renault, Nissan is introducing its first large electric van, the Interstar-e. The Interstar-e, similar to the Renault Master E-Tech, is expected to achieve a range of 200 to 460 kilometers (about 124 to 286 miles) depending on the battery size. With a DC fast-charging feature, the battery can be charged sufficiently in 30 minutes for up to 252 kilometers (about 157 miles). The maximum permitted total weight of the Nissan electric van is set to be 4 tons, with a maximum towing capacity of 2.5 tons and a maximum payload of up to 1.6 tons. 

GLS Germany has put its first hydrogen truck, a Hyundai Xcient Fuel Cell, into regular operation, serving the greater Cologne/Bonn area since the end of last year. With a hydrogen tank capacity of 31 kilograms, the truck can cover up to 380 kilometers (about 236 miles) per refueling and transport up to 1,300 packages. In collaboration with GLS's partner company Recht Logistik and the vehicle leasing company Hylane, the truck is utilized for main haulage as well as customer package pickups. To date, the vehicle has already covered over 8,500 kilometers (about 5,282 miles) and transported nearly 50,000 packages with low emissions. Looking ahead, the company plans to expand the hydrogen truck's routes nationwide. 

Garbe is reportedly planning to build the largest wooden logistics hall in Europe. The facility, located near Staubing in Bavaria, is expected to feature approximately 262,646 square feet of hall space, 15,930 square feet of storage mezzanines, and about 11,840 square feet of office and social space. Not only the entire supporting structure and the mezzanine levels but also the complete facade will be constructed out of wood. To harness renewable energy, the logistics center's roof will be prepared for photovoltaic use, and the halls will be equipped with LED lighting. The heating of the property is to be achieved through the use of air-source heat pumps. There is already an initial interested party from the automotive industry for the hall, though more details are yet to be disclosed.