Fraunhofer, Einride, Fortescue, Amazon, MACBETH, upBUS, Honda, VDL, Toyota

Led by Finland’s VTT Technical Research Centre, the MACBETH project ("Multipoint megAwatt Charging for Battery Electric Truck Hubs") aims to develop future-proof megawatt charging parks across Europe by 2030. Designed for both electric trucks and passenger cars, the project involves 19 partners including MAN Truck & Bus, PostNord, and Power Electronics España. A key innovation is a robotic charging arm by Rocsys, designed to automate the charging process, improve ergonomics for drivers, and boost safety and efficiency. Finnish manufacturer Kempower will provide crucial hardware components using its MCS (Megawatt Charging System) technology.

Amazon has announced its largest electric van order to date in Europe: roughly 5,000 electric delivery vans — a mix of eSprinters and eVito panel vans — will be delivered to Amazon logistics partners in the coming months. More than half of the vehicles are headed to Germany, with the remainder going to Austria, France, Italy, and the UK. The company expects the fleet to deliver over 200 million packages per year with zero emissions, covering more than 100 million kilometers annually. About 75% of the order consists of the spacious eSprinter, with the rest made up of the more compact eVito, offering battery options of 60 kWh or 90 kWh and motor outputs of 85 kW or 150 kW. Mercedes-Benz Vans confirms this is the largest single order for electric vans in its history.

A joint study by Fraunhofer ISI and Swedish freight tech company Einride analyzed more than 38,000 REWE deliveries previously handled by about 200 diesel trucks operating within a 230 km radius. If the fleet were converted 1:1 to battery-electric trucks, they would cover 57% of the payload and 32% of the mileage. However, when combined with AI-based route and charging optimization, the electrified fleet could achieve 85% of the payload and 54% of the distance — a 30% jump in efficiency. The researchers conclude that smart routing and charging strategies are more effective than simply increasing battery size or building uncoordinated charging infrastructure. Economically, AI-driven fleet optimization yields an 8% cost reduction versus diesel, while a basic EV swap saves only 3%.

Australian mining group Fortescue has presented its Infinity Train — a fully electric freight train that recharges itself while descending from mine to port. The 1,100-kilometer test run from Perth to the Pilbara region was completed without plugging in once. The train uses regenerative braking to recharge its batteries while hauling ore downhill. Once unloaded, the train — now lighter — uses the stored energy to return uphill. By 2030, the concept could electrify all four of Fortescue’s heavy-haul routes, saving 82 million liters of diesel and up to 235,200 tons of CO₂ annually. Each train is 2.8 kilometers long, hauls 244 wagons, and transports about 34,000 tons of ore — entirely emission-free and without external charging infrastructure.

Germany’s RWTH Aachen University has developed a prototype called upBUS, blending aerial cableway systems with autonomous electric buses. The system uses a modular passenger cabin that detaches from its road chassis, connects to a cable carriage at the station, and glides over urban obstacles like a gondola. At its next stop, the same cabin docks with a 48-volt driverless bus chassis and continues the road — without passengers ever needing to transfer. Starting August 2025, a “primotype” equipped with stereo cameras, LiDAR, and the intelligent iTSI coupling interface will undergo testing. The long-term goal is a production-ready version that can carry up to ten passengers. Developers cite shorter planning and construction times than for conventional tram lines — ideal for traffic-congested cities. In 2023 alone, German commuters spent an average of 40 hours stuck in traffic.

Honda is entering the micromobility space through its new subsidiary Fastport with the eQuad, a compact four-wheeled electric transporter designed for last-mile deliveries. Measuring just 3.65 m long, 1.20 m wide, and 2.10 m high, the eQuad is approved for bike lanes, reaches speeds of up to 20 km/h, and has a swappable battery system with a range of up to 37 km. It offers a payload capacity of up to 295 kg, making it ideal for parcel and grocery deliveries. 

Instead of selling the vehicle, Honda will offer it via a Fleet-as-a-Service model, bundling the eQuad with charging infrastructure, maintenance, and AI-powered fleet management. Production will take place at Honda’s Performance Manufacturing Center in Ohio, with first deliveries expected by the end of 2025. Market launch is scheduled for summer 2026 in Europe and North America. 

7. Fuel cell pilot on Europe’s highways: VDL & Toyota field-test four trucks 
Following the success of an initial prototype, Toyota Motor Europe and the Netherlands-based VDL Group have launched a broader field test with four additional hydrogen-powered trucks using Toyota’s second-generation fuel cell technology. The 40-ton trucks are operating along fixed routes between Toyota’s European Parts Center in Diest, Belgium, and logistics hubs in Lille, Cologne, Rotterdam, and Weesp. Each route includes at least one hydrogen fueling station, with backup options to ensure a driving range of up to 400 km per fill. The five-and-a-half-year trial is designed to collect data on reliability, cost-efficiency, and hydrogen refueling infrastructure, supporting both Toyota’s carbon-neutral logistics goal for 2040 and the development of a European hydrogen economy. Each truck uses two vertically mounted fuel cell modules (60 and 80 kW, 400–750 V) integrated by VDL into a DAF CF chassis.