At last year’s ACT Expo in Las Vegas, Truck & Bus Builder met for the first time with Range Energy to learn more about its “electric trailer platform”. This year’s show provided the opportunity for a business update after two major announcements: the appointment of a new chief executive officer, Jon Foster, and a supply agreement with ZF Group for its ‘AxTrax 2’ e-axles. I spoke with founder Ali Javidan – now chief technology officer – and Foster about what the company hopes to achieve in the next five years.

The joint venture’s primary objective will be to build the “non-differentiating core” of the software-defined truck: a standardised digital platform and dedicated commercial vehicle operating system which will be open to Daimler and Volvo’s competitors.

The company says it has initiated cost cutting measures to decrease its expenses by approximately 55% to an average of USD2.7m per month, with the aim of maintaining the business as a going concern beyond the next twelve months.

Its e-services portfolio includes enhanced digital fleet solutions, depot infrastructure, and turnkey electrification support services to its customers.

On Samsara’s ‘Connected Operations Platform’, customers can now view information on Rivian vehicles in their fleet alongside other vehicle data, providing a “unified” platform for monitoring fleet assets.

ZF describes its new ‘Software Update Management System’ as a “service suite” or “comprehensive toolkit” that simplifies the work of updating trailers over-the-air in line with international regulations.

Mack launched two new digital products: a service for connecting truck operators with spot shippers; and a driver application designed with the new ‘Pioneer’ in mind.

Daimler Buses sees digitalisation as a key enabler in meeting both challenges. By leveraging smart tools to optimise efficiency, reduce downtime, and manage energy use more effectively, these digital solutions can help operators transition to cleaner fleets while staying commercially viable.

Geotab’s CV Show presence underscored its expanding UK ambitions and its role at the forefront of connected fleet innovation.

For Geotab, this partnership marks a significant milestone in expanding its footprint within the UK rental and leasing sector, through the promise of delivering innovative telematics solutions that drive operational efficiency for fleets.

Goodyear do Brasil and ZF do Brazil are to offer combined solutions for fleet and tyre management for passenger cars, commercial and industrial vehicles. This agreement effectively extends the companies’ agreement signed in Europe two years ago.

The company claims that these two features mark a shift away from reactive to proactive strategies that improve safety as well as lower vehicle downtime.