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.

This strategic move underscores Valeo’s commitment to supporting India’s electric mobility transition.

New company to help improve competitiveness of battery-powered trucks

The German company used the show to present two new products: its upcoming ‘Traxon 2 Hybrid’ powertrain, making its North American market debut; and a third-generation air compressor for the global electric vehicle market.

BAE Systems is simplifying heavy-duty vehicle electrification with a modular, scalable platform approach. Its Gen3 power systems—MPCS and MAPS—streamline integration, reduce complexity, and cut costs for OEMs.

ZF will supply several thousand units of its latest e-axle range, ‘AxTrax 2’, to a “leading customer” in India over several years.

The prototype, dubbed ‘Alumotor’, is a synchronous reluctance motor which does not require rare earth metals or cobalt in order to work.

'Kunshi' chassis offers improved range and higher payloads.

Acelera powertrains to be used in US-made F-series truck

In addition to the four- and five-pack configurations offered previously, Scania is now allowing customers to specify three battery packs, with a total energy capacity of 312 kWh.

According to Kleanbus, conversions cost just 20% of the cost of a new battery-electric bus and offer, when completed, significantly lower emissions to the diesel powered vehicle it replaces.

Ali Javidan, who has stepped down as CEO, will remain with the company as president and Chief Technology Officer.