Proviridis, Renault Trucks, Daimler Truck, MAN, DB Schenker

French company Proviridis, in collaboration with Kempower, has developed an underground charging infrastructure for electric trucks designed to address space constraints at logistics sites. Control units are installed in shafts beneath parking spots, while the charging cables are stored in bright yellow metal conduits. This solution is intended to protect the infrastructure from damage and optimize space utilization. A single power unit can support up to eight chargers, making the system flexible and scalable. Proviridis positions this underground solution as a cost-effective alternative to overhead systems, especially for logistics centers with limited space.

Renault Trucks plans to start taking orders for its new Renault Trucks E-Tech T in the second half of 2025. This long-range model, capable of 600 km, achieves its extended range thanks to a new e-axle, which creates space for additional battery packs and allows for up to 800 kWh of battery capacity. The trucks will be manufactured at the Bourg-en-Bresse plant, with a focus on power efficiency and tailored consultations to match battery capacity to customer needs. Renault anticipates that the E-Tech T could reach operational cost parity with diesel trucks by 2026.

Daimler Truck has started serial production of the eActros 600 at its facility in Wörth, Germany. With a battery capacity of 600 kWh, a range of up to 500 km, and a charging capacity of up to 400 kW, the eActros 600 is produced on a flexible line that accommodates both electric and diesel trucks. The ready-to-install batteries are supplied by CATL and are designed to last 1.2 million kilometers or over ten years. Daimler sees the eActros 600 as a key contributor to reducing CO₂ emissions in heavy-duty transportation and calls for an expansion of charging infrastructure to meet EU climate goals.

MAN Truck & Bus has celebrated the topping-out ceremony for its new battery production facility in Nuremberg, Germany, where lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles will soon be manufactured. These batteries will power the new MAN eTruck as well as city buses and coaches. The facility, set to start production in April 2025, will initially have the capacity to produce up to 50,000 batteries annually, with scalability to 100,000 units by 2030. The batteries, composed of NMC cells (nickel, manganese, cobalt), will be assembled into modules and packs in Nuremberg. An 8 kW laser system will enable precise connections between the cells, a technology jointly developed with the Technical University of Munich.

DB Schenker has deployed remotely controlled forklifts at its contract logistics site in Kassel, Germany for the first time. These forklifts combine autonomous driving capabilities with manual control. The technology aims to handle heavy transport tasks more efficiently and improve safety in warehouse environments. Operators can remotely control the forklifts and connect to various vehicles using a remote driving setup. The "enabl" platform serves as the interface for operators to manage vehicles across multiple locations.