Norway, South Africa, Kenya, MAN, Mercedes-Benz and more

Norway has introduced a new subsidy program for heavy electric vehicles aimed at reducing CO2 emissions using electric and hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles. The government has increased the budget for environmental subsidies to accelerate the shift to clean technologies and promote climate-friendly transportation. The economic development agency Enova is subsidizing the acquisition of 108 heavy electric vehicles, including both battery-electric and fuel cell types, with an amount of 136.5 million Norwegian Kroner or approximately 11.6 million euros. The subsidies will cover up to 60 percent of the additional costs compared to a similar diesel vehicle and will be distributed throughout the year. The funding applies to various vehicle categories in the truck and bus sector with a permissible total weight starting from 4.25 tons.

South Africa is planning to develop a network of solar-powered charging stations for electric trucks. The company Zero Carbon Charge has already started constructing 120 charging stations for cars, expected to be finished by September 2025. The company now aims to extend this concept to trucks. Earlier this month, Zero Carbon Charge established a subsidiary named Zero Carbon Logistics. The first 120 truck charging stations are to be built along national highways, with the initial openings slated for 2027. These locations will feature ultra-fast charging technology combined with modular battery packs. Solar power installations at these sites will provide up to 35 megawatts peak. The goal is to "charge a truck within 20 minutes," according to the initiators. Additionally, these stations will provide secure and clean rest areas for truck drivers, equipped with restrooms, a shop, fast WiFi, and facilities for truck repair and washing. Approval processes for the first six locations are currently underway.

Kenya has committed to fully electrify its national bus fleet by 2027, as announced by Trade Minister Rebecca Miano during the inauguration of the country’s first assembly line for electric buses. The initiative will be supported by local production of electric buses by the company BasiGo, which has started manufacturing the E9 Kubwa model. Designed specifically for Kenya, the E9 Kubwa is built in Kenya and powered by 90% renewable energy sourced within the country. The LFP cells for the 210 kWh battery are supplied by CATL from China. With a charging time of under two hours, the E9 Kubwa, which can accommodate 54 passengers, is capable of covering up to 400 kilometers per day, although this includes a charging stop. BasiGo plans to deliver up to 1000 such electric buses over the next three years.

MAN Truck & Bus has achieved a significant milestone in Germany by being the first commercial vehicle manufacturer to test an autonomous truck on the Autobahn. The truck drove approximately ten kilometers on the A9, showcasing the capabilities of autonomous driving technology in real traffic conditions. The German Federal Minister of Transport, Dr. Volker Wissing, and MAN CEO Alexander Vlaskamp personally participated in the test drive. MAN Truck & Bus aims to reduce total operating costs by ten to fifteen percent with the efficient deployment of autonomous trucks. This technology also addresses the shortage of drivers, with up to 100,000 truck drivers currently needed in Germany alone.

Additionally, MAN Truck & Bus announced this week that it has reduced greenhouse gas emissions at its global sites by over 50 percent compared to 2019. This was revealed in the sustainability report for the reporting year 2023, which was published recently.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has started practical trials of the eActros 600 with major logistics and recycling companies such as Contargo and Remondis. These tests are part of a broader strategy by Mercedes-Benz Trucks to refine their electric vehicle offerings based on direct customer feedback and intensive daily usage scenarios. Contargo intends to use the eActros 600 for long-distance container transport in Germany, supported by a growing network of private charging stations. Meanwhile, Remondis is testing the truck as part of the "HoLa" project, which aims to develop a high-performance charging infrastructure for long-haul electric truck traffic.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks developers have also successfully charged a prototype of the eActros 600 with a power output of one megawatt for the first time. This charging was achieved at a charging station in their own development and testing center in Woerth am Rhein, Germany.

Onomotion, a Berlin-based manufacturer of electric cargo bikes, has teamed up with Mercedes-Benz Vans to enhance the efficiency of last-mile delivery. This partnership has led to the development of the Sustaineer, based on the Mercedes-Benz E-Sprinter, which acts as a mobile micro-hub. This setup enables efficient and locally emission-free parcel delivery by swapping pre-commissioned containers between the E-Sprinter and Onomotion's Ono E-Cargobike. The combination of the electric cargo bike and the E-Sprinter aims to optimize parcel delivery, where the Sprinter transports larger and heavier packages, and the cargo bike handles smaller deliveries quickly and flexibly. Both vehicles are electrically powered, significantly reducing local emissions.

Hyundai is intensifying its commitment to hydrogen technology by increasing production capacities for hydrogen buses. The company has expanded its production capacities at its Jeonju plant in South Korea from 500 units in 2023 to 3,000 units in 2024.

Ford is introducing a new version of the E-Transit, which features a larger battery that can drive up to 402 kilometers on a single charge and supports faster charging. The first deliveries are scheduled to start in spring 2025.

The electric truck charging joint venture Milence, formed by Daimler Truck, Traton Group, and Volvo Group, has opened a location in France. This is the company’s second charging hub to date.

The Chinese company Deddle RV plans to launch a series of motorhomes based on the Iveco Daily in Germany.