Author: Patrick Doyle
Patrick Doyle
Patrick Doyle is a commercial electric vehicle journalist at EVMagz.com, covering electric vans, trucks, bus fleets, and the transition of logistics and public transport operators toward zero-emission mobility. His reporting focuses on fleet electrification strategy, vehicle technology, charging deployment, and the economic impact of electrification across global commercial transport markets.
Sales of zero-emission commercial vehicles in Europe continued to grow during the first quarter of 2026, with Mercedes-Benz and MAN emerging as leaders in the battery-electric truck market, while Chinese bus manufacturer Yutong became the top-selling electric bus brand in the region, according to a new analysis by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). The study, based on European Union vehicle registration data, highlights accelerating adoption of electric trucks and buses, alongside increasing competition among manufacturers. Zero-Emission Commercial Vehicle Sales Rise The ICCT recorded approximately 6,355 zero-emission commercial vehicle registrations across the EU-27, excluding Malta and Finland, during the…
BMW is preparing its Leipzig plant for production of electric vehicles based on its next-generation Neue Klasse platform, with the factory set to undergo extensive upgrades during a five-and-a-half-week production shutdown this summer. The move marks another step in BMW’s broader transition toward electric mobility, although the company has not yet disclosed which Neue Klasse models will be manufactured at the eastern Germany facility. Major Factory Upgrade Planned Plant Director Petra Peterhänsel said the Leipzig site is being prepared for the arrival of the Neue Klasse vehicle family, BMW’s new generation of electric vehicles built on a dedicated EV architecture.…
Mercedes-Benz has officially started series production of the all-electric VLE, the first model built on the company’s new VAN.EA electric vehicle platform, at its long-established manufacturing facility in Vitoria, Spain. The launch marks a significant milestone for Mercedes-Benz Vans as it accelerates its transition toward fully electric commercial and passenger vehicle offerings. First VAN.EA Model Enters Production The VLE was unveiled earlier this year as the successor to the EQV and represents the first production vehicle based on Mercedes-Benz’s next-generation VAN.EA architecture. Customer orders for the premium electric van have been open since April, including blind orders placed before test…
San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) has awarded a contract to Fastech and Bosch Rexroth to develop a large-scale hydrogen refuelling station in California capable of supporting up to 175 fuel cell electric buses. The facility is expected to become the world’s largest hydrogen refuelling station dedicated to public transit bus operations and will serve as the primary hydrogen hub for the SamTrans network. Supporting a Large Fuel Cell Bus Fleet The hydrogen station is being designed to support a fleet of up to 175 fuel cell electric buses as SamTrans advances its zero-emission transportation strategy. According to the project…
Austrian fire service vehicle manufacturer Rosenbauer and German truck maker MAN Truck & Bus have unveiled a fully electric turntable ladder fire truck at the Interschutz trade fair in Hanover, Germany, marking a significant step in the electrification of emergency response vehicles. The new L32A-XS Electric is built on MAN’s battery-electric eTGM chassis and is described by Rosenbauer as the world’s lightest fully electric turntable ladder truck. With a gross vehicle weight of less than 16 tonnes and an axle load below 10 tonnes, the vehicle complies with weight restrictions commonly applied to fire service deployment areas across Germany. The…
Solaris Bus & Coach has entered its Urbino 15 LE electric in the intercity category of Bus Euro Test 2026, showcasing a battery-electric bus designed for both urban and regional transport operations. The vehicle combines a low-floor front section for efficient passenger boarding in city environments with a raised rear section intended to enhance comfort on longer-distance routes. Designed for Urban and Intercity Operations The Urbino 15 LE electric can accommodate up to 100 passengers and offers seating for 65 people, making it suitable for a range of public transport applications. Solaris said the vehicle provides an operating range of…
char.gy has installed its 5,000th public electric vehicle charge point in the United Kingdom, reaching the milestone with a new kerbside charger in Brighton & Hove. The company said the achievement reflects the continued expansion of on-street charging infrastructure aimed at households without access to private driveways or dedicated off-street parking. Brighton & Hove Deployment The milestone charger forms part of Brighton & Hove City Council’s broader plan to install approximately 6,000 kerbside charging points across the city. According to char.gy, the programme represents one of the largest on-street charging deployments outside London. The company noted that a significant proportion…
Stellantis Pro One, the commercial vehicle division of Stellantis, has outlined a strategy to increase annual sales by 30% by 2030, supported by a broad product renewal programme and an expanded focus on connected fleet services. The plan, presented during Stellantis’ Investor Day on May 21, targets growth from approximately 1.65 million commercial vehicles sold in 2025 and includes the launch of 11 new models across multiple regions and vehicle segments. A central element of the strategy is the introduction of two new multi-energy van platforms built on Stellantis’ STLA Brain electrical and software architecture. The platforms will support battery-electric,…
Polish bus manufacturer Solaris has obtained Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for three electric bus models as the company expands environmental transparency across its zero-emission vehicle portfolio. The newly certified models include the Solaris Urbino 10.5 Electric, Solaris Urbino 12 Electric and Solaris Urbino 18 Electric. Solaris said the independently verified EPD datasets cover the full life cycle of the vehicles, including raw material extraction, component production, manufacturing, transport, operation, servicing and end-of-life processing. Environmental Product Declarations are internationally recognised environmental labels designed to provide standardised information about a product’s environmental impact. According to Solaris, the EPDs were developed in accordance…
A survey conducted by Germany’s Öko-Institut found that companies operating heavy battery-electric trucks are reporting high satisfaction levels with the vehicles, citing reliability, operating cost advantages and positive driver feedback as key benefits. The study surveyed 57 transport and logistics companies in Germany that have operated at least one heavy-duty electric truck in daily operations for a minimum of one year. According to the results, 93% of participating companies described battery-electric trucks as a reliable and economically viable alternative to diesel-powered vehicles. The research forms part of the federally funded ELV-Live project, which examines the practical adoption of electric trucks…
Dutch truck manufacturer DAF has started series production of its XG Electric and XG+ Electric heavy-duty trucks at its Eindhoven facility, marking the latest expansion of the company’s battery-electric vehicle range. The first production unit, an DAF XG+ Electric tractor, is scheduled for delivery to German logistics provider Hellmold & Plank. See also: Paua Partners With DAF Dealers to Expand Shared Charging for Electric Trucks in UK The XG Electric and XG+ Electric models are designed for long-haul transport and share core drivetrain technology with DAF’s XD Electric and XF Electric trucks, which were previously introduced by the company. DAF…
Komatsu has introduced the PC9000-12, the largest hydraulic mining excavator in its product lineup, to global markets with the option of a fully electric drive system. The company said the excavator, which was first launched in Canada, is now available worldwide through Komatsu’s dealer network. See also: Komatsu, Applied Intuition Partner on Next-Generation Autonomous Mining Platform Customers can choose between a conventional diesel powertrain and an electric-drive configuration depending on site requirements and regulatory conditions. “This flexibility allows mining companies to align their equipment selection with regulatory requirements and site-specific conditions,” Komatsu said in a statement. According to the company’s…