Author: Ryan Whitmore

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…

Scania plans to invest €70 million in its production facility in Angers, France, as the truck manufacturer expands its industrial capabilities to support the growing transition toward electrified transport in Europe. The investment will include an expansion of the existing site and modifications to production lines to enable the assembly of electric trucks alongside conventional diesel-powered vehicles. Scania said the project will strengthen its manufacturing presence in France while increasing flexibility to respond to changing market demand. Angers Site to Add Electric Truck Production The Angers facility has been part of Scania’s production network for more than 30 years and…

Scania has unveiled its first battery-electric CrewCab, designed specifically for fire, airport and civil rescue operations, marking a further expansion of the Swedish truck manufacturer’s zero-emission vehicle lineup. The new battery-electric CP31L 4×2 is intended to support emergency response applications while eliminating tailpipe emissions. The vehicle is equipped with 356 kWh of installed battery capacity and operates with a 90% state-of-charge window, providing the energy needed for demanding operational environments. Scania said the CrewCab has been designed with free frame sides, allowing bodybuilders greater flexibility to customize the vehicle for a variety of rescue and emergency service applications. Designed for…

MAN Truck & Bus, Dettendorfer Energy GmbH and a group of industry partners have launched the Green Brenner Initiative, a collaboration aimed at supporting the use of battery-electric trucks along the Brenner freight corridor connecting Germany, Austria and Italy. The initiative brings together participants from the transport, energy and infrastructure sectors and is intended to promote zero-emission freight transport on one of Europe’s busiest logistics routes. Focus on the Brenner Corridor According to the partners, the initiative seeks to develop the Brenner corridor as a model region for battery-electric freight transport while complementing existing rail infrastructure. The group said the…

American Rheinmetall and Harbinger have formed a partnership to develop a family of uncrewed ground vehicles (UGVs) for the U.S. Department of Defense, combining Rheinmetall’s military vehicle integration expertise with Harbinger’s hybrid-electric commercial vehicle platform. The companies said the collaboration will focus on current and future U.S. Army requirements, including autonomous tactical wheeled vehicles, contested logistics missions and manned-unmanned teaming operations. Under the partnership, Harbinger will provide its drive-by-wire hybrid-electric chassis platform, while American Rheinmetall will contribute systems integration and defense vehicle development capabilities. The platform features a hybrid-electric powertrain that combines an electric drivetrain with a gasoline-powered range extender.…

Scania has begun offering a new battery configuration for its battery-electric trucks that adds a seventh battery pack beneath the driver’s cab, increasing energy capacity and enabling driving ranges that can exceed 800 kilometres in certain applications. The Swedish manufacturer also confirmed that its Megawatt Charging System (MCS) option, first announced in 2025, is now available for customers to order, marking another step in the company’s electrification strategy for heavy-duty transport. The latest development follows changes to Scania’s battery sourcing plans. The company had originally intended to use battery cells from Northvolt and target energy capacities of up to 728…

Swedish truck manufacturer Scania has demonstrated what it described as one of the world’s first vehicle-to-grid (V2G) implementations for heavy commercial vehicles using Megawatt Charging System (MCS) technology, highlighting the potential for electric trucks to support electricity grids through bi-directional charging. The demonstration showed how battery-electric heavy-duty trucks can not only consume electricity but also return power to the grid to provide services including peak shaving, energy storage and grid balancing. Scania said the project comes as electrification of heavy transport places growing demands on electricity infrastructure while also creating opportunities to use parked electric trucks as mobile energy storage…