Volvo, DHL, MAN, Hylane, Mercedes-Benz, TU Vienna

Volvo Autonomous Solutions and DHL Supply Chain have launched a pilot program for autonomous semi-trucks in Texas. The Volvo VNL Autonomous, equipped with Lidar, radar, and camera systems from Aurora, will be tested on routes along Interstate 45 between Dallas and Houston, as well as from Fort Worth to El Paso. 

Safety drivers will accompany the trucks during the test phase to intervene if necessary. DHL sees autonomous trucks as a way to reduce operational costs, improve efficiency, and enhance safety in transportation. 

In early December 2024, a MAN TGS 26.540 truck operated by the Italian logistics company Santoni Srl transported the Christmas tree for St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican. 

The 29-meter-tall tree was delivered from Trentino to Rome, covering a distance of approximately 650 kilometers, mostly at night due to the size of the load. The MAN TGS, with an overall length of 34 meters and a width of 3.5 meters, proved its versatility in handling this special transport. 

Cologne-based company Hylane now provides its customers with DEKRA-certified CO₂ reports for their rented hydrogen trucks. These reports account for emissions generated during vehicle operation as well as those from the production and supply of hydrogen. 

Hylane handles the emission calculations and data collection, while DEKRA verifies the data and issues the certifications. Customers can use these reports for sustainability reporting and communication with clients and partners. 

Mercedes-Benz has achieved a major milestone: the production of the 70,000th Citaro bus. This milestone vehicle, a fully electric eCitaro, was delivered to Dutch public transport company HTM Personenvervoer N.V. in The Hague. 

Since its debut in 1997, the Citaro has become Europe’s most successful city bus, renowned for its efficiency, reliability, and innovation. The handover took place during the Daimler Buses eMobility Days 2.0 in Berlin. 

A team from the Vienna University of Technology (TU Vienna) has developed an intelligent algorithm that optimizes the range of hybrid trucks equipped with hydrogen fuel cells and batteries. 

The algorithm uses predictive control techniques to efficiently manage the interaction between the fuel cell and the battery, enabling better energy distribution during driving. This leads to increased range and longer component lifespans. 

This system has the potential to boost the appeal of hybrid commercial vehicles and support their adoption in freight transport.