Author: Patrick Doyle

German industrial group Freudenberg Group has withdrawn from the battery and fuel cell systems business for heavy-duty applications, dissolving its Freudenberg e-Power Systems (FEPS) unit as of January 1, 2026, the company said alongside its annual results. The move marks the end of Freudenberg’s activities in developing and marketing battery cells, modules, systems and complete fuel cell systems. The company will instead retain its hydrogen components business, which will be integrated into its sealing technologies division. “Ultimately, we decided to discontinue the business involving system integration and modules for fuel cells and batteries. However, we will continue in the components…

Scottish bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis is exploring options to retain jobs in Scotland, proposing to preserve up to 200 roles at its Larbert facility while proceeding with the planned closure of its Falkirk plant. The company had initially announced in June 2025 that both Scottish sites would close, with production consolidated at its facility in Scarborough, England, putting up to 400 jobs at risk. The move was attributed to “challenging market dynamics,” according to Paul Davies, President and Managing Director of Alexander Dennis. Davies said at the time: “We must take significant action to drive efficiency to allow our operating…

Mercedes-Benz Trucks said it has started sales of its battery-electric eArocs 400 construction truck in 13 European markets, marking the brand’s entry into electrified solutions for heavy-duty construction applications. The model is currently available to order in countries including Germany, France, Spain and the Netherlands, with production of the base vehicle scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2026 at the Wörth am Rhein plant. Final integration of the electric drivetrain will be carried out by Paul Group. The eArocs 400 was first unveiled at the Bauma Munich and represents a shift from the diesel-powered Arocs line, which has…

Polish bus manufacturer Solaris said its electric bus retrofit programme now covers around 170 vehicles across Europe, as operators seek to extend the lifespan of early-generation battery-electric fleets. The update was shared during the Mobility Move event in Berlin, with details reported by Sustainable Bus. The programme includes 105 buses for Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), as well as additional vehicles in cities such as Kraków, Cluj-Napoca, Hamburg, Jaworzno, Brussels and Warsaw. Solaris said the retrofit initiative targets approximately 1,325 battery-electric buses delivered between 2013 and 2019, representing about 22% of its electric fleet currently in operation. The company aims to prevent…

Bosch Engineering has introduced a new 800-volt electric drive system designed for heavy-duty intralogistics machinery, aiming to support the electrification of forklifts, terminal tractors and port transport vehicles. The system will be presented at the LogiMAT 2026, taking place in Stuttgart from March 24 to 26, where the company is showcasing its latest developments in electrified powertrains for industrial applications. The new solution combines the SMG230 electric motor with a silicon carbide-based inverter, supporting system voltages between 400 and 850 volts. The motor delivers a continuous output of 188 kW and around 250 Nm of torque, with peak torque reaching…

MAN Truck & Bus has carried out winter testing of its upcoming battery-electric coach, the Lion’s Coach E, in northern Sweden and eastern Turkey, exposing the vehicles to temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius as part of final endurance trials ahead of series production. Four prototypes of the electric coach completed thousands of kilometres of testing near the Arctic Circle and in Erzurum, Turkey, regions known for harsh winter climates. According to the Munich-based manufacturer, the trials evaluated the performance of the high-voltage battery system, energy management including preconditioning, charging capability, drivetrain reliability and the bus’s interior thermal…

U.S. electric vehicle startup Harbinger has introduced a new medium-duty work truck called the HC Series Cab, expanding its lineup of commercial vehicles as the company seeks to broaden its presence in the fleet market. The Los Angeles-based company said the HC Series Cab will be offered in both fully electric and hybrid versions. The hybrid variant is designed to deliver a driving range of up to 500 miles. The truck platform is intended for commercial fleet use and features a tight turning radius, easier cab entry and exit, and the ability to accommodate different chassis configurations such as cargo…

Austrian contract manufacturer Steyr Automotive has begun assembling trucks for Chinese commercial vehicle producer Sinotruk at its facility in Steyr. The first vehicle was completed earlier this week under a newly signed contract between the two companies. According to Steyr Automotive, the agreement covers the assembly of both diesel-powered and fully electric trucks in several variants. Initially, production will follow the Semi Knocked Down (SKD) method, meaning partially assembled kits imported from China will be completed at the Austrian plant. As volumes increase, the partners plan to transition to Completely Knocked Down (CKD) production, allowing vehicles to be assembled entirely…

Mining company Rio Tinto and Chinese battery manufacturer CATL have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore cooperation on electrification and low-carbon technologies in the mining sector. The agreement, announced by CATL on March 4, outlines collaboration in three areas: electrification strategy and innovation, circular supply chains and potential new commercial cooperation models linked to the energy transition. See also: BMW and CATL Sign Pact on Battery Supply Chain Decarbonization The companies plan to assess opportunities for large-scale electrification of mining operations, which traditionally rely on diesel-powered heavy equipment. The partnership will also explore approaches to recycling battery materials and…

Stellantis has launched a promotional campaign offering battery-electric versions of its compact and mid-size vans at the same price as diesel models across Europe, as the automaker seeks to accelerate the adoption of electric commercial vehicles. The initiative, introduced by the company’s commercial vehicle division Stellantis Pro One, will run until the end of June and applies to several models in the group’s light commercial vehicle lineup. The offer covers compact vans including the Citroën Berlingo, Fiat Professional Doblò, Opel Combo and Peugeot Partner, as well as mid-size vans such as the Citroën Jumpy, Fiat Professional Scudo, Opel Vivaro and…

Logistics company Dachser has expanded its emission-free urban delivery programme to 25 major cities and metropolitan regions across Europe, using electric vehicles and cargo bikes to handle last-mile shipments without local emissions. The initiative, operating under the “Dachser Emission-Free Delivery” programme, combines battery-electric trucks, electrically assisted cargo bikes and micro-hubs near city centres to manage urban deliveries. The concept was first introduced in 2018 and has steadily expanded across Europe. See also: Dachser Deploys First BYD Electric Trucks for Urban Deliveries in Spain The programme now operates in ten countries, covering cities including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Dublin, London, Madrid, Munich,…

German commercial vehicle manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus plans to invest around €300 million to expand and modernise its European service network by 2030, with a portion of the funding allocated to electric mobility and digitalisation. The company said roughly €100 million of the investment will focus on preparing sales and service sites for electric vehicles and improving digital capabilities. According to MAN, the programme represents the largest investment initiative in the company’s service network in its history. The funding will be made possible through savings from the company’s MAN2030+ efficiency programme announced earlier this year, which aims to reduce…

Automotive supplier Webasto has expanded its thermal management portfolio with the launch of the Cool Top 120-e, a fully electric rooftop air conditioning system designed for battery-electric light commercial vehicles. The system is intended for vehicles equipped with a 400-volt DC electrical architecture, including minibuses, vans and ambulances. According to Webasto, the new unit delivers up to 12 kW of cooling capacity and operates within a voltage range of 250 to 460 volts DC. The Cool Top 120-e measures 1.61 × 1.2 × 0.30 metres and weighs around 80 kilograms. It uses the refrigerant R1234yf, which the company says has…

U.S. commercial electric vehicle manufacturer Xos has introduced a new medium-duty electric truck chassis starting at $99,000, aiming to make fleet electrification more affordable while maintaining competitive performance against diesel models. The 2026 model-year Class 6 chassis is designed for delivery, logistics and vocational applications, offering zero tailpipe emissions and lower total cost of ownership, according to the company. Xos counts major fleet operators such as Loomis, Penske and UPS among its customers. Chief Executive Dakota Semler said the new platform reflects nearly a decade of development. “The 2026 launch represents everything we’ve built at Xos over nearly 10 years…

Renault Group has agreed to acquire full ownership of Flexis, the electric van joint venture it launched in 2024 with the Volvo Group and logistics company CMA CGM, consolidating control of the project as it prepares to bring a new generation of battery-electric light commercial vehicles to market. Under the agreement, Renault will purchase the combined 55% stake held by Volvo Group and CMA CGM, subject to regulatory approvals. Renault and Volvo each currently own 45% of the company, while CMA CGM holds the remaining 10%. Financial terms were not disclosed. “This agreement marks a major milestone for the project…

operating from Dachser logistics centers in Barcelona and Valencia following a months-long trial in which company staff drove an ETM6 approximately 3,500 kilometers to assess performance under real-world conditions. The compact vehicle offers a payload of up to four tonnes, a 126 kWh battery and a range of about 200 kilometers, making it suited to urban distribution routes. Founded in 1930 and headquartered in Kempten, Germany, Dachser has been expanding its electric transport capabilities for several years. The company currently operates about 160 battery-electric trucks above 3.5 tonnes across Europe and has installed more than 800 charging points powered by…

U.S. regulators are reviewing whether heavy-duty electric trucks present different safety risks when transporting hazardous materials, reopening long-standing technical debates as battery-powered freight vehicles begin limited commercial use, industry publication Freight Waves reported. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, has launched a Request for Information (RFI) to assess the safety of using heavy-duty electric trucks in hazardous materials transport. The agency is asking stakeholders to compare electric and diesel vehicles across a range of technical and operational criteria. See also: Volvo to Supply Electric Trucks for New York Food Distribution Under…

Dutch truck maker DAF Trucks has delivered 33 battery-electric tractor units to German logistics operator Contargo, lifting the number of electric trucks in Contargo’s fleet to 90 as the company steps up the electrification of its container transport operations. The vehicles, all from the XD Electric series, will be deployed across 15 locations in Germany and are expected to make up nearly one-third of Contargo’s battery-electric fleet once fully integrated. DAF described the handover as “one of the largest simultaneous deliveries of battery-electric trucks in Germany,” with the trucks entering service over the coming weeks. See also: Royal Mail Begins…

panish bus maker Irizar will deliver its first electric vehicles to the Netherlands after securing an order from Arriva Personenvervoer Nederland for 39 battery-electric buses, the companies said. The order comprises 18 standard 12-metre units and 21 articulated 18-metre units of Irizar’s ie tram model. The vehicles are scheduled for delivery in December 2026 and will be deployed in the Oost-Brabant region, operating primarily on a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor serving Tilburg and ’s-Hertogenbosch. Irizar said the contract marks its entry into the Dutch market for electric buses. “We would like to thank Arriva for putting their trust in…

Scania said its L-series low-entry cab has received a five-star safety rating, the highest possible score, under the Safer Trucks programme run by Euro NCAP, following independent consumer testing. The vehicle assessed was an electric version of the L-cab configured for the utility segment, which includes refuse collectors and other essential service trucks operating primarily in urban environments. The rating highlights the cab’s strong performance in direct vision and both active and passive safety measures. Designed for demanding city and vocational use, the L-cab features a low-entry layout aimed at improving driver visibility and reducing risks to vulnerable road users.…