The buses, which are the first of a 15-strong order which will be fulfilled before the end of the year, are Mercedes-Benz ‘Intouro’ intercity buses which Safra has retrofitted with electric drivetrain components, fuel cells, and hydrogen storage tanks.

According to the latest agreement, the companies plan to co-develop electric heavy-duty trucks (both battery-electric and fuel-cell electric) for the European market.

The funding is being allocated to the government’s Zero Emission Buses Regional Area (ZEBRA, now ZEBRA 2) Scheme, initially launched in 2021 to allow local transport authorities to bid for funding for zero-emission buses and supporting infrastructure.

The first project is a joint program with Czech truck manufacturer, Tatra Trucks to co-develop a specialised off-road truck prototype called the “Battery Electric Tatra Truck” with multi-speed Transmission (BETTT). Eaton will be responsible for the development of the power distribution unit (PDU) and 4-speed EV transmission.

CaetanoBus to supply 10 H2.City Gold electric hydrogen-powered buses to Austrian public transport operator Wiener Linien.

The Cavan brand was established by a joint venture called Beijing Cavan New Energy Vehicle Company Ltd (Cavan Auto), formed in 2023 with a registered capital of CNY500m (USD290m), in which Foton owns a 65% stake, Bosch Venture Capital 10% and the remainder is split between the other financial institutions.

The total number of city buses with alternative drivelines in European Union 27 countries plus the UK, Norway (NO), Iceland (ICE) and Switzerland (EU 27+4) totalled 13,466 units  comprising 6,354 electric buses (excludes trolley buses), 4,022 hybrid-electric buses, 2,883 CNG buses and 207, hydrogen (fuel cell) buses.

Hyzon has delivered its first four heavy-duty Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) to American food distributor, Performance Food Group. With a range of 350 miles (563 km) and an expected refuelling time of 15 minutes, these vehicles will deliver groceries to retail stores in Southern California, USA.

The European Parliament in Brussels has agreed improved Weights and Dimensions Directive rules, moving from an initial 40-tonne heavy-goods gross vehicle weight limit to 44-tonnes. The caveat, however, is that after 2034, these weight exemptions will only apply to zero-emission vehicles.

Daimler is currently building a customer trial fleet of five of its Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Trucks (semi-trailer tractors) which will be tested on German roads starting in June 2024. With a focus on long-haul transport applications, the vehicles will offer a payload of 25 tons at a gross combination weight (GCW) of 40 tons.

The ‘E-500e’ is powered directly by the vehicle battery and does not require additional investment in a dedicated battery or shore connection module.

The front independent axle aims to increase the efficiency, balance and structure of the electric vehicles.