New range of gas tipper trucks coming on stream in next six months, says Ashok Leyland.

Farizon Auto, the new energy commercial vehicle brand name of Zhejiang Geely New Energy Commercial Vehicle Group (a subsidiary of Zhejiang Geely Holding Group of Hangzhou), has raised USD300m in a pre-A round of fundraising, which it said will be used to strengthen its range of low- and zero-emission vehicles.

Energy Absolute continued its expansion into the zero-emissions vehicle market with the launch of a new battery-powered small truck in the local market.

The 12-metre bus is a hydrogen-powered variant of the ‘e-ATA’ line of battery-electric buses, fitted with a 70-kW fuel cell providing a range of 500 kilometres.

The new-generation NMC lithium battery packs, which EvoBus produced in partnership with Akasol, contain cylindrical cells that provide 50% greater energy density.

A JV called Terberg Tractors Malaysia Sdn Bhd (TTM) of Puchong, Selangor, is testing an autonomous terminal tractor in a container terminal in Johor this month, using artificial intelligence (AI) and software supplied by Aidrivers Ltd of Uxbridge, UK.

All vehicles will have engines with Mercedes-Benz’s proven BlueTec 6 technology, which incorporates a more robust gas after-treatment system, and which reduces nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by up to 80% and particulate matter emissions by 50%.

The trials follow the announcement of a new manufacturing site to be built in Pecém.

The Caetano UNVI C21 electric bus is a new low-floor 12-metre urban electric bus featuring an electric chassis (e.chassis) from Caetano capable of fitting a battery capacity of up to 420 kWh and UNVI’s steel structured single deck body meeting EC rollover regulation (R66).

Gaussin UK will be based in Wickford, Essex, targeting the UK logistics, retail and transport markets, as well as license sales to local partners.

The new electric lowliner tractor unit is built on a Volvo FH based chassis and fitted with a 500 kilowatt (680 hp) electric motor, single speed transmission and a battery capacity with 380 kilowatt hours giving the vehicle a range of 280km.

First Hydrogen’s hydrogen fuel cell light commercial vehicles (LCVs) have been certified in the UK by the VCA and will now undergo customer trials on public roads in Britain in January 2023.