Volvo’s new ‘Dynamic Steering’ can detect a puncture in the truck’s front tyre(s) and respond immediately in order to mitigate the impact.

The general mood of this year’s Advanced Clean Transportation Expo – held between 28 April and 1 May in Anaheim, California – was one of healthy confusion. There were questions about the direction of the commercial vehicle industry and how a more sustainable transport system might be achieved. BAE Systems, however, is confident that the industry will continue to move towards net zero; the only questions concern “how it will be done and how long it will take”, according to Robert Lamanna, vice president and general manager of BAE Systems’ Power and Propulsion Solutions division.

Partnership aims to accelerate introduction of fast-charging heavy trucks.

The new Class 8 truck has a bumper-to-back-of-cab length of 113.5 inches, 3.5 inches shorter than the preceding Anthem generation and a full 12 inches shorter than the newly-released ‘Pioneer’ range.

The project will focus on the development and manufacturing of high-voltage EV components, including combined charging units, e-axles, inverters, and electric motors.

The software is set to debut in select markets in late 2025, with full commercial rollout anticipated by early 2026. Delivered through a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) model, the platform allows businesses to subscribe based on fleet size and feature requirements.

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.

Series production of the fifth-generation OptiRide began last year for an unnamed European commercial vehicle manufacturer; now, ZF is also supplying the system to Hyundai.

This initiative aims to promote energy-efficient tyre manufacturing, strengthen domestic supply chains, and create employment opportunities, says JK Tyres.

Providing 356 kilowatt hours of energy storage, these battery packs carry nickel-manganese-cobalt cells which are packaged at MAN’s facility in Nuremberg.

The ‘RE2b’, like the ‘RD1’ launched earlier this year, combines a manual ramp which folds into the floor of the bus with an electric ramp, but with greater width to make it more accessible for wheelchair passengers.

The company says this move to unlock value from non-core assets is consistent with Rane Holding Ltd’s strategic objective of streamlining operations and strengthening financial performance.