Author: Patrick Doyle

Mahle is moving its range-extender technology for electric trucks from development toward vehicle testing, with the supplier confirming that prototype projects are underway with commercial vehicle manufacturers ahead of planned real-world road trials. Mahle first announced the range-extender system in August ahead of IAA Transportation 2026, where the technology is now making its public debut. The company has not disclosed the manufacturers involved, the number of prototypes planned or when series production could begin. Range Extender Targets More Than 800 Km Mahle’s system combines a high-voltage generator with 110 kW of continuous power and 130 kW peak output with a…

Scania is introducing a new battery configuration for its electric trucks that places additional battery packs behind the cab, increasing installed capacity and enabling ranges of up to 720 kilometres depending on configuration and operating conditions. The new “Battery Behind Cab” solution is designed for selected long-haul 6×2*4 tractor configurations and combines additional batteries with Scania’s chassis-mounted battery packs. In a typical configuration, two MP20 battery packs can be installed behind the cab, adding approximately 356 kWh of installed capacity. Additional Battery Capacity For Long-Haul Operations The new arrangement is intended to give operators greater range while retaining the flexibility…

Ford Pro is presenting the full body range of its new all-electric Transit City at IAA Transportation 2026 in Hannover, alongside a new 96-kWh battery option for the larger E-Transit and data-based fleet services aimed at reducing vehicle downtime. The products are at the centre of Ford Pro’s showcase in Hall 13, Stand C90, as the company targets commercial customers seeking greater efficiency, payload flexibility and driving range from electric vans. Transit City Expands Beyond Panel Van Following its digital premiere in March, the all-electric Transit City is making its public trade-show debut in Hannover. The model starts at €35,990…

Lisbon public transport operator Carris is adding 29 electric buses to its fleet, bringing the total number of battery-electric vehicles to 103 as the company works toward eliminating fossil-fuel-powered buses by 2030. The latest procurement forms part of an investment programme worth more than €31 million, with €17.05 million financed through Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), according to Portugal News. Electric Fleet Passes 100 Vehicles The new buses are Yutong U12 models and are being introduced alongside other electric vehicles already deployed by Carris. The operator has put 15 electric minibuses into service during 2026, taking the number of…

MAN has unveiled an updated version of its eTGX electric long-haul truck at IAA Transportation 2026 in Hanover, introducing a new battery generation, improved regenerative braking and aerodynamic changes that increase its claimed range to as much as 720 kilometres. The Munich-based commercial vehicle manufacturer is presenting the revised eTGX less than two years after the first customer deliveries of the electric truck began at Porsche’s plant in Leipzig. The model is among 15 press releases MAN has issued for the September 15-20 transportation show. New Battery Generation Raises Available Capacity The updated MAN eTGX uses battery packs with 92…

Google, Nevoya and the Center for Green Market Activation (GMA) are preparing to deploy 25 battery-electric Class 8 trucks and associated charging infrastructure on a new electric freight route in Texas. Nevoya will operate the trucks, while Greenlane Infrastructure is responsible for developing the charging network supporting the deployment. The manufacturers and specific models of the 25 trucks have not yet been disclosed, and technical specifications remain limited. Truck Manufacturer Remains Unconfirmed A GMA LinkedIn post confirms that Nevoya will serve as the carrier operating the trucks and that Greenlane Infrastructure will build the associated charging infrastructure. An image included…

The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners has approved a 30-year lease extension for Yusen Terminals, securing the marine terminal operator’s presence at the Port of Los Angeles through 2056. The agreement also clears the way for Yusen Terminals to invest an additional $200 million in zero-emission cargo-handling equipment. Yusen Terminals has operated at the Port of Los Angeles since 1991. Under the new lease, the company will make the additional investment in zero-emission equipment over the coming years as it continues the transition of its terminal operations. Expanding Zero-Emission Equipment Yusen Terminals’ facility already operates a range of zero-emission…

Chinese manufacturer Skyworth Auto will present five next-generation electric commercial vehicles at IAA Transportation 2026 in Hanover, Germany, including the world premiere of the Skyworth Z9, a heavy-duty battery-electric truck designed for Level 4 autonomous operation. The 6×4 electric tractor features a dual-motor powertrain producing 610 kW and a 400 kWh LFP battery. Skyworth Auto will exhibit under the theme “Smart Ecosystem for a New Era” at the commercial vehicle trade fair, which runs from September 15 to 20. Z9 Combines Electric Power and Level 4 Autonomy The Skyworth Z9 is a battery-electric tractor unit with a 6×4 configuration and…

Chinese mining equipment manufacturer Zijin Longking has unveiled the ZL230E, a battery-electric dump truck designed to carry up to 230 tonnes of material in open-pit mining operations. The heavy-duty vehicle combines a 1,400 kWh battery with a 1.6 MW electric powertrain and can charge to 90% in 25 minutes, according to the company. ZL230E Targets High-Intensity Mining Operations The ZL230E was unveiled in early August as the latest addition to Zijin Longking’s battery-electric mining vehicle portfolio. The truck has a tare weight of 120 tonnes and a maximum payload of 230 tonnes, giving it a gross vehicle weight of up…

Polish bus manufacturer Solaris has won a framework agreement with Czech public transport operator Dopravní podnik Ostrava (DPO) covering the potential delivery of up to 70 Urbino 12 electric buses in 2027 and 2028. Solaris said the agreement represents one of the largest electric bus tenders in the Czech Republic to date and is also among the biggest vehicle procurement programmes undertaken by DPO. Two Electric Bus Configurations Planned The framework agreement covers two versions of Solaris’ 12-metre Urbino electric, with different battery capacities designed to match the operational requirements of individual routes. One configuration will provide up to 350…

Daimler Truck has launched a global recall covering more than 131,000 commercial vehicles after identifying a defect in the electrical energy supply system that could increase the risk of overheating and fire. The recall includes diesel-powered Actros and Arocs trucks as well as first-generation battery-electric eActros 300 and eActros 400 models equipped with AGM batteries. The company’s latest eActros 600 long-haul electric truck is not affected. https://evmagz.com/daimler-truck-compares-battery-electric-eactros-600-and-hydrogen-nextgenh2-truck-as-dual-strategy-for-zero-emission-freight/ First-Generation eActros Models Included in Recall According to Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA), the issue stems from an improperly installed ACE chip within the battery system. Corrosion may develop on the chip’s…

Driventic has introduced the VEDS 2.2, a new integrated electric drive system designed for medium-duty trucks, buses and retrofit applications, as the company expands its portfolio of commercial vehicle electrification solutions. The new system combines an electric motor, inverter and gearbox into a single compact assembly while remaining compatible with conventional rear axles, allowing manufacturers to simplify the transition from diesel-powered vehicles to battery-electric platforms. Integrated Design Targets Commercial Vehicle Electrification The VEDS 2.2 integrates three core components: the EVO 390 high-speed electric motor, a newly developed inverter and a single-stage planetary gearbox. https://evmagz.com/voith-spins-off-commercial-vehicle-division-as-driventic-to-focus-on-e-mobility-and-conventional-drives/ An electrically driven oil pump with…

The Port of Vancouver has launched a pilot program deploying battery-electric container trucks into commercial freight operations to evaluate the performance of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles under real-world port conditions. The initiative, known as the Electric Container Trucking Program (ELECTRA), has introduced six battery-electric Class 8 trucks across five trucking companies operating in British Columbia. Pilot Supports Zero-Emission Freight Operations The program is one of the first coordinated deployments of battery-electric container trucks at a major North American port. Under the C$3 million initiative, participating trucking companies receive subsidized five-year vehicle leases together with charging infrastructure, maintenance support, driver training, and…

Fleet electrification company WattEV has opened a new heavy-duty truck charging depot in Fresno, California, expanding its electric freight infrastructure into Northern California and strengthening charging access along one of the state’s busiest logistics corridors. The Fresno facility is the company’s seventh commercial truck charging depot and the first of four planned locations that will support zero-emission freight transport across Northern California. Expanding High-Power Truck Charging Located along California’s Highway 99 corridor, the new depot is positioned to connect freight traffic between the ports of Oakland and Stockton with distribution centers throughout the northern San Joaquin Valley. The site is…

European truck manufacturers are pushing back against plans by Chinese battery maker CATL and Octopus Energy to establish a battery-swapping network for heavy-duty electric trucks in Europe, according to a report by Nikkei. The joint venture, branded Swaptopus, aims to deploy 30 battery-swapping stations across Europe by 2035, with the first facilities expected to open in the United Kingdom in 2027. However, industry stakeholders have raised concerns that adopting a common battery-swapping platform could reduce manufacturers’ control over vehicle technology and battery systems. Standardization Concerns Cloud Battery-Swapping Plans According to Nikkei, one of the main obstacles is the level of…

The European Union-backed GIANTS project has entered the next phase of development, moving from technology design to real-world vehicle demonstrations as it reaches month 30 of its 42-month programme. Swedish electric vehicle manufacturer Clean Motion is contributing its EVIG platform as one of the project’s original equipment manufacturer (OEM) partners, with prototype testing set to begin across six international urban living labs. Project Moves into Demonstration Phase Funded through the Horizon Europe programme, the GIANTS project has a total budget of €15 million and runs from January 2024 through June 2027. The consortium, which comprises 24 partners, has spent the…

MAN Truck & Bus has expanded the electrification of its factory logistics after logistics partner J.S. Logistics introduced five MAN eTGX battery-electric trucks for cross-border freight operations between Hungary and Germany. The vehicles will support inbound logistics for MAN production facilities, marking another step in the manufacturer’s strategy to reduce emissions across its supply chain. Electric Trucks Enter Cross-Border Service The five MAN eTGX electric tractor units will transport components between suppliers and MAN plants using both direct routes and consolidated freight operations. On the approximately 520-kilometer route between Lébény in Hungary and MAN’s Munich plant, the trucks will operate…

Chinese mining company Zijin Mining is expanding the electrification of its mining vehicle fleet, deploying battery-electric haul trucks across multiple operations while developing its own heavy-duty electric mining vehicles. The company said it established an in-house production and assembly line after determining that commercially available vehicles did not fully meet its operational requirements. In-House Electric Mining Trucks By the end of 2025, Zijin had produced its first battery-electric mining dump truck, the LK220E. The company now operates nearly 300 battery-electric dump trucks weighing up to 140 tonnes, depending on configuration. The vehicles are equipped with swappable battery packs with a…

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.…