From Wolfsburg via Lehrte to Barcelona and back: After a year of intensive practical tests, the project consortium consisting of Schmitz Cargobull, Sesé, Kombiverkehr, Volkswagen Group Logistics, TÜV Rheinland and the German Association of the Automotive Industry draws a positive conclusion: The innovative EcoDuo vehicle combination has proven itself in the pre- and post-carriage of combined transport and could contribute crucially to increasing efficiency and decarbonization of logistics in the future.

EcoDuo is a combination of two standard semi-trailers, coupled with a so-called dolly, driven by a single tractor unit. With a total length of 31.70 meters and a permissible total weight of 40 tons (44 tons in combined transport), it meets all safety requirements and can be easily integrated into existing structures. The EcoDuo thus acts as a link between road and rail—a decisive advantage over previous long-haul truck concepts. Unlike long-haul trucks, the standard semi-trailers can be easily loaded onto railway cars. The concept offers more transportation volume with fewer trips and can thus contribute immensely to CO₂ reduction. At the same time, it can counteract driver shortage.

The results of the pilot project also show that the EcoDuo combination can be transported by rail without additional effort. Adjustments are only required at the terminals to enable trailer coupling and uncoupling. The next step is to put the EcoDuo into regular operation. This requires an adjustment to the existing regulation on exemptions from road traffic regulations for oversized vehicles and vehicle combinations in several countries. The goal is to introduce "Type 6" as a vehicle type for combinations up to 32 meters in length. It is intended to be used on a separately defined positive network, which also includes combined terminals.

Daimler Buses has announced plans to build and operate its own public charging infrastructure for electric buses and coaches starting in 2026. The new strategy will focus on high-traffic tourist destinations — such as city bus parking areas and leisure attractions — with the aim of enabling fully electric long-distance travel.

The first pilot site will be in Cologne, Germany, in cooperation with the municipality and the state-owned energy and climate agency Northrhine-Westfalia, Energy4Climate. Four public fast-charging stations will be installed in a central hub, each providing up to 400 kW of charging power and 24/7 availability.

MAN celebrated the world premiere of its new battery-electric Lion’s Coach E — the first fully electric coach from a major European manufacturer — which is set to enter series production in 2026. The coach was awarded Sustainable Bus of the Year 2026 in the coach category for setting new technological benchmarks in sustainable long-distance travel.

The Lion’s Coach E features a fully electric powertrain with a continuous output of 330 kW and a usable battery capacity of up to 480 kWh, enabling fast charging and a range of up to 650 km. It also excels in safety, with an advanced driver assistance package including EBA Plus emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality, lane-keeping assist, the OptiView mirror replacement system, and the innovative MAN Safe StopAssist.

Comfort is another highlight, with numerous interior design options that allow for customized and barrier-free layouts. The jury also praised the vehicle’s sustainability: over 95% of its components are recyclable, it is produced in plants certified to international environmental standards, and it features a responsible battery lifecycle management system.

Vietnamese manufacturer VinFast has unveiled its first all-electric bus models for Europe: the EB 8 (approx. 8 meters) and EB 12 (approx. 12 meters). Both models have been homologated according to EU standards and are equipped with LFP battery packs supplied by leading companies such as CATL and Gotion, offering capacities of up to 422 kWh. According to VinFast, the buses will deliver a range of up to 400 km.

The EB 12 is already available for order, and both models are expected to enter commercial service in 2026.

Polish manufacturer Solaris has presented its latest electric city bus: the Urbino 10.5 Electric. This compact two-axle bus (10.5 meters) is designed for operation in dense urban environments with narrow streets. Solaris claims a range of around 600 km, with the base model equipped with a 350 kWh high-energy battery. Options with over 400 kWh are also available. The bus can accommodate up to 85 passengers.

Ioncor — the battery business spun off from Valmet Automotive in 2024 — has unveiled its new Energy Pack Long battery system, which uses a direct cell-to-pack approach, eliminating the need for intermediate modules. The system operates at 666 volts and, thanks to its modular design, can be scaled from 79 kWh to as much as 1,000 kWh.

With an energy density of 290 Wh/l and 160 Wh/kg, the system is optimized for space and weight efficiency. It also offers more than 7,000 charge cycles and supports ultra-fast charging at 3C current, enabling a 10–80% charge in around 25 minutes.