This month, our focus shifts to Europe, where the European Union (EU) has rolled back its CO₂ targets.

Focus on developing flexible refueling systems for cars and trucks.

The money will help to fund 4,900 electric charging points and alternative fuel stations across the trans-European road network.

ACEA has published its 2024 EU commercial vehicle sales statistics, with new truck registrations declining by 6.3% (2024: 327,896 units) compared to 2023.

Whilst making the argument that Europe can maintain competitiveness whilst reaching its climate goals, the Union faces a multitude of issues relating to the rise of the Chinese EV automotive industry, pending American tariffs from the new Trump regime, internal political instability and unforeseen market reluctance relating to the uptake of zero-emission trucks.

Levin (President and CEO of Scania) takes over the function from Harald Seidel, President of DAF Trucks. He will work closely with ACEA President Ola Källenius (Mercedes-Benz Group AG chairman) who is serving in his first term.

Oberwörder succeeds Domenico Nucera, the former President of Iveco Bus. To get more zero-emission buses on the road, Oberwörder will need to bring together policymakers, bus operators, energy suppliers and manufacturers to plot a sensible way forward that not only helps decarbonise the European bus industry but also maintains the competitiveness of European bus OEMs.

Källenius’s stated priorities are to lobby for less bureaucracy, to push for a more “market-driven” transition to electric vehicles, and to champion international trade that is “free, fair and rule based”.

In collaboration with Hyundai Motor Company, the company launched the E-WAY H2, a 12-metre hydrogen fuel cell electric city bus, which first debuted at Busworld Europe in 2023.

The ‘Urbino 24’ double-articulated buses will serve on bus rapid transit routes in the city.

In the future, the former Van Hool facility will produce stainless steel tankers, whereas GRW will produce aluminium products at its own facilities, said GRW CEO Gerhard van der Merwe.

The ‘E-CoolPac’ integrates power electronics, controls, and battery modules in a single box, storing between 15 and 35 kWh of energy depending on the specification.