Daimler Truck, Toyota, TST, Fraunhofer, Fuso and more

Daimler Truck and Toyota are joining forces in the Asian commercial vehicle market by merging their truck divisions Mitsubishi Fuso and Hino Motors. The partnership aims to collaborate on development, procurement, and production. The new holding company will be jointly owned by Daimler Truck and Toyota, each holding a 50% stake. The merger is expected to create synergies in R&D, manufacturing, and sales. The joint venture is scheduled to launch in April 2026.

Logistics company TST has introduced an innovative concept for a cooperatively organized depot charging network for electric trucks. The goal is to create a shared ecosystem that allows trucking companies to jointly use or contribute to charging infrastructure. Eight partners are already using TST’s existing infrastructure. The network will offer not only physical charging stations but also digital services such as unified billing systems, guaranteed charging prices, and reservation options. According to the company, the first depots will be digitally integrated by fall 2025.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (IVI), together with Dresden’s municipal sanitation service, is testing an innovative underfloor charging system for electric trucks. The system features a conductive, fully automated contact mechanism that eliminates the need for cables and initiates charging at the push of a button. An electromagnet ensures a secure connection between a ground-installed charging pad and the vehicle’s receiver. Developed under the MEGA-LADEN project, the system has been integrated into a 15-ton truck. It’s designed for high charging performance and is particularly suited for urban logistics. Key benefits include enhanced safety, reduced space requirements, and the potential for fully autonomous charging operations — paving the way for automated depots.

A large-scale battery swapping trial for electric trucks will kick off in Tokyo in September 2025. Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, Mitsubishi Motors, US startup Ample, and logistics provider Yamato Transport plan to deploy 150 electric commercial vehicles with modular batteries and 14 battery swap stations. The goal is to dramatically cut charging times — a battery swap is expected to take just five minutes. The vehicles, including the Fuso eCanter, will mainly be used for last-mile deliveries. Supported by the City of Tokyo, the project aims to assess the commercial viability of the system. In the long run, the swap stations could also serve as energy storage for the power grid.

Berlin-based roaming specialist Hubject has partnered with Heliox, Accelera by Cummins, and US school bus manufacturer Blue Bird to launch a Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) project in the United States. The goal is to enable bidirectional charging for electric school buses — not only drawing energy from the grid but also feeding power back into it. The system is based on the new ISO 15118-20 standard, which ensures secure, encrypted communication between vehicle and charger. The solution will be fully interoperable, supporting Plug&Charge, load management, and energy feedback functions. Hubject provides the digital infrastructure, Heliox supplies V2G-capable DC fast chargers, and Accelera delivers the electric powertrains. The deployment in school buses is expected to not only stabilize the grid but also open up new revenue streams for operators.

CaetanoBus has unveiled a new generation of zero-emission city buses. Available in lengths of 8.5, 12, and 18 meters, the buses come in both battery-electric (BEV) and hydrogen fuel cell (FCEV) versions. For the first time, CATL’s LFP batteries using cell-to-pack technology are being deployed. Battery capacities range from 266 kWh (8.5 m) to 700 kWh (18 m). The batteries are designed for over 4,000 charging cycles, with a service life of more than ten years.

Toshiba has begun shipping battery samples featuring niobium-titanium oxide (NTO) anodes. The new SCiB Nb cell generation offers ultra-fast charging and extremely long service life. According to Toshiba, the 50-Ah cells can reach 80% charge in just ten minutes and endure up to 15,000 charge cycles — even with frequent fast charging. The volumetric energy density is 350 Wh/L, and the gravimetric energy density is 130 Wh/kg. The batteries are designed for use in commercial vehicles where high availability and short charging times are critical. Toshiba is developing the technology in collaboration with Brazilian niobium producer CBMM and Japan’s Sojitz Corporation, aiming to position the cells as an alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries with graphite or LFP anodes — especially where fast charging typically accelerates battery aging.