Author: Ryan Whitmore

Neath Port Talbot Council has begun deploying a fully electric recycling fleet, becoming the first local authority in the UK to electrify its entire recycling vehicle operation. Once fully operational, the fleet will consist of 21 battery-electric recycling trucks, replacing the council’s existing diesel-powered vehicles. Fleet Rollout Underway The first 10 electric recycling vehicles are scheduled to enter service later this summer, with the remaining trucks to be introduced in phases throughout the year. According to the council, completion of the rollout will make Neath Port Talbot the only local authority in Britain operating a fully electric recycling fleet. Improving…

The NEFTON research consortium has achieved a key milestone in the development of next-generation megawatt charging technology after successfully demonstrating a stable charging current of 3,000 amperes during laboratory testing. The project, led by MAN Truck & Bus together with research and industry partners, said the breakthrough could support charging capacities of up to 3 megawatts for future battery-electric heavy-duty trucks. Advancing Megawatt Charging Launched in 2021, the NEFTON project focuses on developing high-power charging technologies for battery-electric commercial vehicles using the Megawatt Charging System (MCS). Initial work centered on existing megawatt charging capabilities before expanding toward charging power of…

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has released operational data from its battery-electric truck fleet, saying the results demonstrate that electric heavy-duty vehicles can support a growing range of logistics operations, from regional shuttle services to international long-haul transport. The company currently operates around 80 battery-electric trucks within its own production network, including second-generation eActros models, and said the fleet has collectively traveled more than six million kilometers. Electric Trucks Expand Role in Factory Logistics Mercedes-Benz Trucks said battery-electric vehicles now handle approximately 30% of inbound transport routes serving its Wörth am Rhein assembly plant. The manufacturer aims to gradually electrify inbound logistics across…

Orange EV has delivered its 2,000th electric terminal truck to Coke Canada Bottling, marking a production milestone as the manufacturer continues expanding the adoption of zero-emission yard vehicles across North America. The delivery will add to Coke Canada Bottling’s electric terminal truck fleet operating at facilities in British Columbia and Quebec. The milestone also coincides with Orange EV receiving Coke Canada Bottling’s 2025 Supplier Partner Award. Milestone Delivery Expands Electric Fleet The latest deployment supports Coke Canada Bottling’s efforts to reduce emissions from its yard operations while improving logistics efficiency. The family-owned beverage manufacturer is one of Canada’s largest bottlers…

BHP, Rio Tinto and Caterpillar have launched trials of battery-electric haul trucks in Western Australia’s Pilbara region, marking a significant step in the mining industry’s efforts to reduce operational emissions. The companies have deployed two Caterpillar 793 XE Early Learner battery-electric haul trucks at BHP’s Jimblebar iron ore mine following initial testing and validation work conducted at Caterpillar’s proving grounds in Arizona. Electric Haul Trucks Arrive in Pilbara The two vehicles are among seven Caterpillar battery-electric haul trucks currently being evaluated globally as part of the manufacturer’s heavy equipment electrification program. According to the companies, the trucks underwent approximately three…

Solaris has opened a new production hall in Środa Wielkopolska, Poland, expanding its manufacturing capacity as the bus maker prepares for future growth in European and international markets. The new facility is located in the municipality where Solaris has operated its main welding plant for steel bus and trolleybus frames since 1998. New Assembly Hall Adds Capacity The newly commissioned production hall covers more than 7,000 square metres and will be used for the final assembly of city buses. Until now, final assembly operations were carried out exclusively at the company’s Bolechowo facility near Poznań. Production activities will now take…

FAW Jiefang, the commercial vehicle subsidiary of China’s FAW Group, has completed full-condition testing of a heavy-duty electric truck powered by a sodium-ion battery, marking a significant step toward the commercialization of the technology in the heavy truck sector. The testing program was conducted in partnership with Chinese sodium-ion battery manufacturer Hina Battery and focused on evaluating the performance, durability, and safety of sodium batteries under real-world operating conditions. Seven-Month Testing Program Completed The vehicle used in the trial was a Jiefang J6P battery-electric tractor equipped with a 339-kWh sodium-ion battery pack. According to FAW Jiefang, the testing program lasted…

DAF Trucks has introduced a new interactive route simulator designed to help fleet operators assess whether battery-electric trucks can meet the requirements of their daily transport operations. The DAF Electric Route Simulator allows users to model real-world routes and evaluate the suitability of different electric truck configurations before making investment decisions. The tool is aimed at transport companies considering a transition to zero-emission vehicles and seeking greater clarity on vehicle range and operational performance. According to DAF, the simulator provides an initial assessment of route viability based on customer-specific operating conditions and supports the company’s entire battery-electric truck lineup. Covers…

Public transport operator MZK Toruń has officially added 40 Solaris Urbino 12 electric buses to its fleet, strengthening the Polish city’s transition toward zero-emission public transportation. The vehicles were formally handed over on June 9 during a ceremony attended by representatives of Miejski Zakład Komunikacyjny (MZK) in Toruń and Solaris Bus & Coach. The delivery follows a contract signed in May 2025 and includes not only the buses but also charging infrastructure supplied by Solaris. Charging Network Included in Contract As part of the agreement, Solaris will provide both plug-in and pantograph charging systems. The charging infrastructure will be installed…

Daimler Truck has highlighted the similarities and differences between its battery-electric eActros 600 and hydrogen-powered NextGenH2 Truck, underscoring the company’s dual-track approach to decarbonizing long-haul freight transport. While the two trucks share the same in-house developed electric drive axle, they store and replenish energy in fundamentally different ways. The eActros 600 relies on a large 621 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate (LFP) battery pack, while the NextGenH2 Truck uses liquid hydrogen fuel cells supported by a smaller 101 kWh buffer battery. The battery-electric eActros 600 entered series production in 2024 and is already operating in customer fleets, whereas the hydrogen-powered NextGenH2 Truck remains…

UK-based fleet and battery specialist Zenobē has signed a framework agreement with Spanish transport operator Vectalia that could be worth up to €120 million, as the two companies seek to accelerate the deployment of electric buses and supporting infrastructure across Spain. The three-year agreement covers the financing and leasing of battery-electric buses, along with charging infrastructure, depot electrification and energy management services. The companies said the arrangement is designed to support Vectalia’s transition toward lower-emission public transport operations. According to Zenobē, the transaction represents the largest electric bus leasing structure the company has arranged in Spain and Europe to date.…

UK clean energy and battery technology company Palmer Energy Technology (PETL) has acquired the business and assets of electric bus repower specialist Kleandrive following the company’s entry into administration. The acquisition is aimed at maintaining engineering expertise in heavy-duty vehicle electrification while expanding PETL’s presence in the commercial vehicle sector. Focus on Electric Bus Repowering Kleandrive specializes in converting diesel buses into battery-electric vehicles through retrofit programs designed to extend vehicle life and reduce fleet emissions. The company has argued that repowering existing diesel buses can offer a lower-cost alternative to purchasing new battery-electric vehicles while reducing the environmental impact…