While the vehicle is stationary – for example, when loading or unloading cargo – the power bank recharges the traction battery, effectively acting as a range extender.

Zhija, established in 2016, is understood to be the first company in China to be awarded a licence to carry out heavy-duty autonomous truck trials on the country’s open roads.

Ovarith Troeung of CEO HFC retrofit company cautioned that the company is still waiting for the “market to mature” before ramping up production. Evidently, it has learnt from the litany of startup vehicle companies that have gone bust over the last few years.

On 25 October, the entire Board of Directors at the Canadian manufacturer resigned from their positions, following the grant of a petition for receivership of the company by the Royal Bank of Canada.

T&BB caught up with the CEO and co-founder Dr James Widmer at the show. Widmer claims that the electric motor offers all the performance and efficiency benefits of a conventional permanent magnet motor without their considerable environmental drawbacks.

At IAA Transportation 2024, held between 17-22 September in Hanover, Germany, the vehicle manufacturers said in unison to delegates: “We are ready for the transition to electric vehicles. Now we are waiting for the market to follow.” Maxion Wheels had a similar message for its OEM customers: “We are ready. Everything is developed. We know how to do it.”At its stand, the company showcased a range of different wheels, from sustainable steel to light electric urban to forged aluminium – this last type being shown to the public for the very first time since Maxion announced its intention to enter this market segment at IAA Transportation 2022. But Maxion’s execs were keen to stress that the company’s moves to support electric vehicles and sustainability are not disruptive; rather, these initiatives are in keeping with a longstanding “culture of innovation” at Maxion.

The focus was on innovations for trailers to drive efficiency whilst addressing environmental concerns. The company highlighted gains in the fields of artificial intelligence applications and electrical energy generation solutions.

The company said it has focused on using the most advanced technologies for hydrogen fuel cells, battery electric vehicles, and alternative fuel-powered engines.

The LCV and pickup truck maker has relocated its corporate headquarters from California to northern Texas. This relocation is part of a broader restructuring plan, which also includes the migration of Canoo's engineering workforce to its two main Oklahoma locations in Oklahoma City and Pryor​, beginning in Q4 this year.

This partnership aims to help resolve chronic driver shortages as well as increase the safety and efficiency of logistics operations in ports and warehouses.

All new SmarTrailer’s will be equipped with TC Trailer Gateway, enabling real-time vehicle management. This systems monitors driver behaviour, vehicle location and gathers data (and transmits the data) from various trailer components such as temperature sensors, brake systems and tyre pressure.

This investment will support the expansion of KleanDrive’s retrofitting capacity and the increased manufacturing capacity of its proprietary advanced ePowertrain technology used to repower diesel ICE buses to electric drive.