The Schiphol Group has ordered 52 of MAN’s ‘Lion’s City 12 E’ buses, capable of carrying up to 107 passengers.

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.

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.

This partnership aims to help resolve chronic driver shortages as well as increase the safety and efficiency of logistics operations in ports and warehouses.

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.

Part of its ‘Eckstreme’ series of twin-deckers, the new trailer sits on three axles and weighs about 450 kilograms less than previous iterations in the range.

The ‘HE 19’ is the latest model in Carrier Transicold’s ‘Vector’ series of TRUs and is claimed to be the company’s most sustainable product yet.

The NM20 is apparently still in development, with initial customer deliveries to begin towards the end of this year.