Daimler Truck, HHLA, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a European supply chain for green liquid hydrogen (LH₂) through the Port of Hamburg. The goal is to establish a reliable and cost-efficient import and distribution network for green liquid hydrogen from producing countries to Germany, strengthening Hamburg’s role as a central logistics hub.

In the coming months, the partners will analyze the logistic requirements for transshipment and onward transportation by road and rail. The initiative also aims to get additional companies and institutions on board to form a broader consortium across the entire hydrogen value chain.

Each partner contributes unique expertise: HHLA as a European logistics network operator, Daimler Truck as a global commercial vehicle manufacturer focused on CO₂-neutral drive systems (battery-electric and hydrogen-based), and Kawasaki Heavy Industries as a leading technology provider in hydrogen infrastructure.

Mercedes-Benz Vans has revealed the first details of its upcoming fourth-generation van family, including the next-generation Sprinter, which will enter the market next year with major technological upgrades. One of the core innovations is switching to 800-volt technology and with that significantly reduced charging times.

A camouflaged prototype of the VLE, the successor to the V-Class, has already demonstrated the system’s performance on a test drive from Stuttgart to Rome — a 1,090-kilometers journey completed in just 13 hours with only two 15-minute charging stops.

The new Sprinter generation will be based on the electric VAN.EA architecture, while Mercedes is also developing a combustion-engine counterpart on the VAN.CA platform. Both will share around 70 percent of their components. The lineup will include classic panel vans in various lengths and roof heights, as well as tippers and flatbed trucks. An optional rear-axle steering system is expected to improve maneuverability and reduce the turning radius.

In addition to the commercial models, Mercedes will introduce two people movers — the VLE and the more luxurious VLS — designed for passenger transport, VIP shuttles, and mobile office applications.

A major innovation will be MB.OS implementation, Mercedes’ latest operating system already featured in EQ models such as the CLA and GLC. Based on a “chip-to-cloud” architecture, it enables precise control of sensors and actuators while providing seamless over-the-air (OTA) updates, allowing vehicles to stay current for years without visiting a workshop.

Fleet operators will benefit from third-party software integration through the infotainment system, enabling direct access to fleet management programs. Mercedes’ own digital tools, such as the “Van Uptime Monitor” diagnostic system, will help maximize uptime and operational efficiency.

Mercedes also recently unveiled the design concept “The Boulder” — a 6.5-meters-long stone sculpture hinting at the new model’s design language, with a longer, more horizontal front section that could accommodate a front trunk (“frunk”).

A consortium led by Vinci Autoroutes has launched a 1.5-kilometers test section for inductive charging of electric vehicles while driving on the A10 highway near Angervilliers, south of Paris. Built earlier this year, the test track uses embedded coils developed by Israeli company Electreon.

Initial real-world traffic tests have shown that the system can deliver peak power levels above 300 kilowatts and average outputs exceeding 200 kilowatts under optimal continuous operation. A truck, van, passenger car, and coach equipped with receiver coils were tested to evaluate dynamic wireless charging performance across different vehicle types.

Kia has achieved an impressive milestone with its first electric commercial vehicle: the PV5 Cargo has entered the Guinness Book of World Records after driving 693.38 kilometers on a single battery charge while carrying a full payload of 665 kilograms.

The record-setting drive took place on September 30, 2025, on public roads north of Frankfurt am Main, under real-world traffic conditions. The 58.2-kilometers circuit included urban and rural roads, traffic lights, intersections, roundabouts, and elevation changes of about 370 meters per lap. After 11 full laps, the vehicle finally came to a stop during the twelfth — after a total of 22 hours and 30 minutes.

The attempt was monitored by TÜV Hessen and the Buck surveying office, with both the charging port and cargo area sealed and the entire drive tracked via GPS and onboard cameras.

German engineering service provider Bertrandt has developed an autonomous electric shuttle called BumbleB in collaboration with the Bern University of Applied Sciences.

According to the partners, the compact vehicle combines advanced sensors, software, and system intelligence and is primarily designed for use in less populated areas where conventional public transport, such as city buses, is becoming increasingly rare.

While Bertrandt has not yet released detailed specifications of the propulsion system, the company confirmed that the shuttle uses a fully electric drivetrain. It remains open when and if the vehicle enters commercial production.

The project is part of a broader series of developments by Bertrandt in recent years focusing on battery and electric drive technologies.