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.

With Euro Bus Expo set to house 190 companies dedicated to the passenger transportation industry, the event is expected to one of the busiest in recent history.

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.

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.

Kia unveiled a range of highly customizable PBV models and related eco-system during 2024 at various key shows; CES in Las Vegas, Busan Mobility Show in South Korea and at IAA in Hannover, Germany.

Karsan has formed a strategic partnership with French dealer *Cosmobilis Group, which will play a crucial role in expanding Karsan's presence in several European markets, particularly in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. Cosmobilis Group will import Karsan’s electric buses, and this partnership will allow Karsan to enhance its sales and after-sales services while benefiting from Cosmobilis' experience in the sector.

During a press conference at the show, Güriş said that Parsan is now working with AVL to adapt the e-axle for series production.

This variant has been tailored for demanding heavy-duty applications like logging, construction and heavy-haul operations. The design improves stability, weight distribution and control aiding in driver comfort, performance and safety.

At IAA Transportation 2024 last month, I experienced firsthand the magnetic effect of the “Tesla phenomenon”. Towards the end of a series of keynote speeches delivered by some of the industry’s most important executives, Dan Priestley, who heads the development of Tesla’s heavy electric ‘Semi’ truck, took to the stage to provide an update on the company’s plans for the commercial vehicle segment. I had a place towards the front, having sat through the preceding talks that afternoon, which were reasonably well attended; however, looking behind just before Priestley’s entry to the stage, I saw a new crowd of attendees filling out the entire space.