This year’s commercial vehicle trade fair will take place between 17 and 22 September 2024 at the Deutsche Messe AG in Hannover. During the event, a number of manufacturers will be showcasing their vehicles and solutions to reduce CO2 emissions. This is the result of stringent standards for commercial vehicles set by EU countries, which will gradually come into force from 2030. At IAA Transportation, exhibitors will present their visions and ambitions for a sustainable future for the transport and logistics sector.
Already at the June press conference preceding the IAA, companies reaffirmed their commitment to the environmental transformation of transport and emphasised the importance of various strategies involving the use of different technologies, such as electric and hydrogen propulsion.
Elon Musk’s Tesla will be making its first appearance at this year’s show with its range of commercial vehicles. Other well-known manufacturers such as Iveco, Scania, VW Commercial Vehicles, Kia, B-ON, Maxus, BYD, BMC, Renault, Toyota and Piaggio will also be in Hannover.
World premiere of MAN’s small truck
MAN Truck & Bus announced at the beginning of September the launch of the eTGL, the smallest family of trucks with a 100 per cent electric engine. MAN has thus expanded its range of electric trucks by offering eTrucks with dmc ranging from 12 to 50 tonnes.
The eTGL model will initially be produced as a 12-tonne chassis with a wheelbase of 4,500 mm and a payload of up to 6.6 tonnes. Mechanically, this vehicle designed for urban applications will use the same solutions as its larger, electric brethren – namely an electric motor located between the chassis beams, two batteries outside them and a classic drive axle.
The new model is equipped with a rather powerful electric motor (peak power of 210 kW) but the battery capacity is rather modest with two packs that together provide 160 kWh of usable power. These batteries support a charge of up to 250 kW.
In addition to the eTGL, in addition to the optimised diesel engines, the Traton subsidiary will also be presenting the new hydrogen combustion engine used in the MAN hTGX.
“Although several propulsion technologies are shaping the transition to CO2-free freight transport, we are clearly focusing on electromobility as the main propulsion technology. Hydrogen propulsion can be a useful addition for special applications, as can fuel cell propulsion, which is currently still under development,” – Alexander Vlaskamp, CEO of MAN Truck & Bus, stated.
Another of the upcoming ‘electric highlights’ is to be the MAN eTruck, which will be offered in eTGX and eTGS variants.
These two variants offer great possibilities. With the wheelbase and equipment options on offer, the number of configuration variants has risen to more than a million. In this diversity, which includes a modular battery concept, numerous wheelbases, cabs, power take-offs and industrial equipment, MAN sees the new eTruck as ‘meeting the needs of all relevant industries and transport tasks’.
With a range per charge of up to 800 km, the eTruck model is suitable for both regional and long-distance transport. It is also prepared for the MCS megawatt charging standard with up to 1,000 kW of power, which will enable recharging within the prescribed driving interval.
In addition to the electric trucks, there will also be a MAN TGE delivery van equipped with a range of new safety and assistance features. These include the Cruise Assist Plus system with the Emergency Assist function. The driver assistant continuously monitors the driver’s activity. If it does not register it, the system can bring the vehicle to a halt and then secure it (switch on the hazard warning lights, send an eCall, unlock the doors).
Daimler Truck will present the e-Actros 600
One of the highlights of this year’s show will be the presentation of the new Mercedes-Benz eActros 600. The first units of the vehicle are expected to reach customers later this year.
‘Our highlight is the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, which will enter series production at the end of the year. We have previously sent it on a journey of more than 13,000 kilometres through more than 20 European countries. The topics of e-services and e-consultation will also play an important role at the IAA,’ – Karin Rådström, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, stated.
Key features of the eActrosa 600 at a glance:
- a range of up to 500 kilometres without intermediate charging,
- up to 44 tonnes of technically permissible gross vehicle weight,
- payload of 22 tonnes with standard trailer,
- 3 battery packs with 207 kWh each,
- 2 electric motors,
- megawatt charging from 20 per cent to 80 per cent in around 30 minutes,
- Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC) cruise control,
- External Audible Vehicle Alert System (AVAS),
- Active Brake Assist 6 (ABA 6),
- Active Side Shield Assist 2 (ASGA 2).
At the heart of the eActros 600 is an innovative powertrain. Daimler is particularly proud of the 800-volt drive axle it has developed, which enables a range of up to 500 kilometres. The two electric motors generate a continuous output of 400 kW. To achieve high acceleration, the power increases to a peak of 600 kW.
Light electric vehicle from Iveco
Italian truck manufacturer Iveco, in turn, will present a light electric commercial vehicle equipped with Hyundai technology at the Hanover event. In March this year, the two manufacturers signed a letter of intent to cooperate on electric commercial vehicles in Europe, extending their partnership to the BEV segment.
Iveco has already announced a new battery-electric commercial vehicle for European markets, based on the Hyundai Group’s special EV platform for BEVs with a gross vehicle weight rating of 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes.
The innovative platform uses Hyundai’s latest technology for a new generation of BEVs with a low-floor design that provides improved usability when charging and transporting cargo and is designed to meet the emerging needs of future electrified special vehicles. The as yet unnamed model will be unveiled for the first time at the IAA.
Fuel cell trucks from Quantron
Manufacturer Quantron is launching the first fuel cell-powered trucks in the light and heavy-duty classes. The Qunatron QHM FCEV Aero heavy-duty truck for long-haul transport has a range of up to 700 kilometres.
In addition, the QHM FCEV offers:
- fully integrated hydrogen tanks between the axles with a capacity of up to 54 kg without a ‘backpack’ behind the cab,
- compliant with ISO guidelines: for saddle combinations for international interchangeability and without restrictions on use compared to fuel cell vehicles from other suppliers,
- 240 kW fuel cell (latest generation FCmove™-XD from Ballard Power Systems – 2×120 kW),
- integrated e-axle.
The truck’s aerodynamic design reduces drag by 20 per cent improving range by a further 10 per cent. The first units of the QHM FCEV Aero should reach customers in the second half of the year.
On the other hand, a lightweight solution from Quantron – the fuel cell-powered QLI FCEV model with a dmc of 3.5 to 5.2 tonnes – offers a range of up to 450 kilometres, depending on load, driving style, weather and route profile, in addition to a short refuelling time. In addition, the manufacturer provides maximum flexibility in the choice of body variants with no restrictions on use compared to fuel cell vehicles from other suppliers. The vehicle is suitable for long distances with a short refuelling time of less than 10 minutes and is quiet and emission-free.
Swedes in Hanover
Volvo will be showcasing battery-electric, fuel cell and e-fuel vehicles in internal combustion engines at the fair. On display at the Swedish manufacturer’s stand will be a total of eight Volvo FH Aero Electric 4×2 trucks with camera monitoring system (CMS)
- Volvo FH16 Aero 4×2 with HVO fuel, XXL cab and CMS
- Volvo FMX Electric 6×4 with three-way tipper
- Volvo FM Low Entry 6×2 with gantry loader
- Volvo FM gas-powered 4×2 with CMS
- Volvo FE Electric 4×2 with gantry carrier
- Volvo VNL 860, fully equipped
- Volvo fuel cell test truck
The new Volvo FH Aero series also includes variants powered by electricity or biofuel, such as the HVO or B100.
A newcomer to the US market, the Volvo VNL, equipped with ground-breaking autonomous driving technology, will also be on display in Europe for the first time. And the new Volvo FM Low Entry is the manufacturer’s first truck designed with only a battery-electric powertrain and exceptional driver visibility, improving safety in busy urban areas.
Ford in a hydrogen future
Ford will also be showcasing its commercial vehicles and its vision of sustainable transport at IAA Transportation.
The manufacturer’s stand is to feature a battery-electric truck from the recently introduced F-Line series with a box body and 6×2 axle configuration. The F-Max series, on the other hand, will be represented by the F-Max Gen2, the F-Max Living and a tractor-trailer with the rare and elegant F-Max Select equipment.
In addition, the manufacturer will present in Hanover the F-Max Select model, limited to 400 units, with two-tone paint and numerous accessories.
The standard powertrain for all Ford Trucks products is the self-developed Ecotorq engines with a displacement of 9.0 and 12.7 litres. The vehicle manufacturer will soon be betting on hydrogen. It is already known to have developed and tested a six-cylinder hydrogen engine, the EcotorqH2, to be used in the company’s tractors very soon.
Electric trailers
Trailer Dynamics, a start-up whose main aim is to decarbonise the transport industry through innovative solutions, will also be at the fair. The company’s flagship product is an intelligent electric drive system for trailers, which significantly increases the range of electric trucks and reduces diesel consumption of combustion vehicles. It thus helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Following successful international test drives, Trailer Dynamics has secured more than 6,000 bookings from customers and will present its eTrailer trailer.
In addition, the start-up’s innovations were recently recognised in the TOP 100 Innovation competition, in which Trailer Dynamics was named ‘Innovator of the Year 2024’.
Tesla finally going into production?
For the first time, however, the US manufacturer Tesla will appear at the IAA Transportation . Recall that the electric truck was first unveiled in 2017. However, its announced 2019 market entry has been delayed by several years. Customers in Europe pre-ordered units, which they are still waiting for today. The officially announced appearance of the Tesla Semi at the event may therefore indicate that Tesla will make another move.
During the event, it will be possible to test the Tesla Semi on a 2 km track dedicated to prototype vehicles.