Scania, T&E-Study, Renault, Milence, SETA

Swedish commercial vehicle manufacturer Scania has expanded its electric bus platform with a new electric machine. Fully integrated into its existing battery-electric bus platform, the new e-machine will be available in four power levels: 240 kW, 270 kW, 300 kW, and 350 kW. Customers will also have the option of a two-speed or four-speed transmission, designed to improve energy efficiency, acceleration, and overall driving performance. The e-machine will feature multiple power supply options to suit different applications and operating conditions, providing greater flexibility. The compact drive unit consists of an electric motor, inverter, transmission, and oil system. Additionally, the system includes a single oil circuit with two oil pumps that cool the e-machine and lubricate the transmission. 

According to a recent analysis by environmental organization Transport & Environment (T&E), nearly 49% of all newly registered city buses in the European Union in 2024 were emission-free. This figure exceeds previous forecasts and highlights the rapid shift toward more sustainable public transport. Of these emission-free buses, 46% were battery-electric, while 3% ran on hydrogen fuel cells. At the current rate of growth, T&E predicts that by 2027, all newly registered city buses in the EU could be emissions-free. 

Renault Group, in collaboration with technology partner WeRide, is expanding its trials of autonomous electric minibuses across multiple European cities. After successful pilot operations during the 2024 French Open in Paris—where the vehicles covered approximately 1,000 kilometers (620 miles) and transported around 700 passengers—new test programs have now launched in Barcelona, Valence, and Zurich. 

From March 10–14, 2025, Renault and WeRide deployed two autonomous electric minibuses on a 2.2-kilometer (1.4-mile) route through high-traffic areas in central Barcelona. Meanwhile, in Valence, France, testing of autonomous shuttles began on March 10 and will continue through April 19. Renault also plans to launch a commercial Level 4 autonomous shuttle service in July 2025. Additionally, since January 2025, autonomous shuttles have been operating at Zurich Airport to transport employees between terminals. 

Electric truck charging network operator Milence has taken a major step toward zero-emission freight transport by launching its first large-scale European charging route for electric commercial vehicles. With the opening of three new charging sites in France, electric trucks can now travel the entire 700-kilometer (435-mile) route between Barcelona and Lyon on battery power alone. 

The Barcelona-Lyon corridor is a key part of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) in the Mediterranean region and serves as a crucial link between Spain, France, and the rest of Europe. The newly opened Milence charging hubs feature high-power charging stations with outputs of up to 400 kW. Milence aims to further expand its network, with plans to install at least 1,700 charging points across Europe by 2027. 

Northern Italian bus operator SETA, based in Modena, has introduced its first electric buses into service and upgraded two of its bus depots with modern charging infrastructure. The electric buses are supplied by MAN, while the charging infrastructure was developed and implemented in collaboration with Kempower and TSG Italia. 

SETA's depots in Reggio Emilia and Piacenza have been equipped with a total of 51 high-power charging points, each providing up to 180 kW. These chargers allow the buses to fully recharge overnight, ensuring uninterrupted daily operations. A key feature of the Kempower charging system is its dynamic power distribution, which optimally allocates available energy in real time based on the needs of the connected buses.