The project’s explicit goal is to “reduce the overall time and cost of battery production by at least 20%, in addition to lowering the number of physical experiments required and reducing material costs.” This will ultimately increase the competitiveness of the European battery industry.  

The demonstrator, located at Michelin’s plant in the commune of Bassens, is tooled to produce butadiene, an organic compound of hydrogen and carbon, from ethanol derived from biomass.

The multiple electric truck trials throughout 2023, aim to show that electric trucks are ready to replace diesel HGVs and can deliver the same service when the right infrastructure, systems, processes, and business models are deployed.

The vehicle will be used to test its energy efficiency and aerodynamics, its ability to detect vulnerable road users through integrated ADAS technology, and the comfort and ergonomics of its interior fittings and cabin dashboard.

The pilot vehicle is a Marcopolo-bodied bus with a Scania chassis capable of running on biodiesel from locally-sourced waste, such as animal manure and other agricultural waste.

Telma’s system, which includes a retarder and generator, is connected to a 10-kWh battery pack for storing the electrical energy recovered from waste heat energy generated by braking. 

It is a 26,000-square-metre facility capable of producing up to 16,000 units per year; following a planned expansion to 40,000 square metres, it will be capable of producing 50,000 units.

Called Ruta Elétrica Andina the project proposes construction of battery charging stations along the Andean highway at intervals of every 200 km – initially the project is to run from Cartagena in northern Colombia to Ipiales, on the border with Ecuador.

The four projects are expected to take place over seven years, with the first two allocated for planning and procurement and the next five for trials.

The work was carried out on a used 12-tonne 'Renault Trucks D' in partnership with a firm enrolled in Volvo’s ‘CampX’ startup incubator in Lyon, called ‘Novumtech’.

Volvo NA exceeded its original freight efficiency improvement target (measured in ton miles per gallon) of 120% with a 4x2 Class 8 tractor-trailer featuring reductions in drag and weight.

A pilot scheme involving four Wrightbus ‘Hydroliners’ will start early next year, transporting workers to and from the construction site near Leiston.