E-Bus Radar 2025, Volkswagen, Uber and more

According to PwC’s E-Bus Radar 2025, a total of 3,375 zero-emission buses were in operation across Germany in 2024 — with 780 newly registered last year alone. That marks more than a sixfold increase in numbers. E-buses now account for roughly 10% of Germany’s total city bus fleet, which stands at around 35,000 vehicles. 

Battery-electric buses dominate the zero-emission segment, making up 87% of the total with 2,946 units. The rest consists of 339 fuel cell buses (10%) and 90 trolleybuses (3%). PwC reports that Mercedes-Benz leads the market with 1,226 electric buses in service, claiming a 36% market share. Other key players include Solaris (556 units, 16%), MAN (436, 13%), VDL (390, 12%), and EBUSCO (260, 8%). 

Hamburg tops the list of regions with the highest number of e-buses in 2024, with the city and surrounding area operating 567 vehicles. Cologne and its metro area follow with 247 units, and Berlin ranks third with 227. 

The E-Bus Radar tracks how many electric buses have been added to public transit fleets across Germany. It also provides insights into manufacturers, price points, and regional adoption hotspots. 

Volkswagen and Uber have announced a strategic partnership to roll out a joint robotaxi service in Los Angeles starting in 2026. The service will use fully electric, self-driving versions of VW’s ID. Buzz — the “AD” in the model name stands for “Autonomous Driving.” The vehicles are being developed by VW subsidiary Moia in collaboration with Israeli tech company Mobileye. 

The ID. Buzz AD vehicles meet SAE Level 4 autonomy standards and are already undergoing trials in cities including Hamburg, Munich, Oslo, and Austin. 

A pilot phase is set to begin later this year, with safety drivers still on board. Full commercial launch is planned for late 2026, when the vehicles will be available directly via the Uber app. Over the long term, thousands of robotaxis are expected to be deployed across multiple US cities. 

Mercedes-Benz Trucks is planning an ambitious world record attempt — driving its battery-electric long-haul truck, the eActros 600, in reverse for 1,000 kilometers (about 621 miles). The goal is to demonstrate the reliability and performance of the electric truck. 

The record attempt is scheduled for June 4 at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben in Germany. The expected driving speed is between 10 and 20 km/h (6 to 12 mph). The current world record for reverse driving in a truck stands at approximately 89 kilometers (55 miles), set in 2020 with a diesel truck in the US. 

Hyundai Motor has launched a new hydrogen-powered truck for the North American market. The Xcient Fuel Cell is a cornerstone of Hyundai’s push to decarbonize freight transport in the region. The production model is equipped with a 180 kW fuel cell system, comprised of two 90-kW stacks. 

A 72 kWh battery pack supports the fuel cell system, while the electric motor delivers up to 350 kW of power and 2,237 Nm of torque. Under optimal conditions, the truck can achieve a range of up to 724 kilometers (around 450 miles). Ten onboard hydrogen tanks offer a total capacity of about 68 kilograms. 

Peterbilt has expanded its lineup with the 567EV, a fully electric Class 8 truck designed specifically for construction and regional haul applications. Based on the existing 567 model, the 567EV features the PACCAR ePowertrain, capable of delivering up to 670 horsepower and 2,508 Nm of torque. 

Battery capacity options range from 240 to 540 kWh, enabling a maximum range of up to 240 kilometers (about 150 miles), depending on the configuration.