Lightning Systems, a developer and manufacturer of zero-emission commercial electric vehicles has announced it has diversified its business and technology portfolio by launching a new division called Lightning Energy.

Mid-August saw the SMMT (The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) post figures for the first half of 2020: New bus and coach registrations fell by more than a third (-34.6%) to 1,731 units from 2,645.

Bus and coach (above 3.5t gvw) registrations fell by 41.5% in the EU, from 4,134 to 2,420 units, which was a slight improvement compared with May’s decline (‐56.5%), according to statistics collated by ACEA.

In June 2020, demand for new trucks (>3.5t gvw) across the European Union declined for the twelfth consecutive month, according to statistics collated by ACEA in Brussels.

In June 2020, EU registrations in the heavy truck (16t and over) segment were severely hit (‐55.6%), falling to 16,042 units from 36,093 units in June last year with Estonia and Latvia recording percentage losses of more than 80%, according to statistics collated by ACEA of Brussels.

Hyundai Motor Company has begun shipping its XCIENT fuel cell powered trucks to Switzerland.

The electric hybrid propulsion system supplied by BAE Systems which bridges the gap between conventional drives and full electric or fuel cell systems, remains a viable option for reducing emissions and saving fuel in areas where charging infrastructure is unavailable, maintains BAE Systems.

Stockholm-based Volta Trucks, the developer of the Volta Zero electric truck concept, has revealed additional information on the vehicle's construction.

After more than a year of intensive practical use by ten customers in Germany and Switzerland, eight of the all battery-powered Mercedes-Benz eActros trucks are now ready to go to new customers in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands as part of phase two of the eActros testing programme.

June saw JSC KAMAZ present its first electric truck – Kamaz-53198 refuse collection truck, which has been developed by the KAMAZ Science and Technology Centre at the company’s headquarters in Naberezhnye Chelny.

Electric commercial vehicle supplier, Lightning Systems, is expanding its manufacturing output to meet increased demand: The company is claiming an order book worth in excess of USD32m from both commercial and government fleet operations prompting the need to more than triple its manufacturing capacity in Loveland.

VDL Bus & Coach BV of Valkenswaard, Netherlands is to supply Flemish operator, De Lijn with 70, Citea SLFA-180 hybrid buses.