Metrans boosts sustainability with debut of long-range Volvo FH Electric trucks

MAN Truck & Bus has reached a major milestone with its battery-electric fleet covering over five million kilometres across Europe, driving forward sustainable freight solutions amid rising demand and infrastructure development.MAN Truck & Bus has announced a pretty big milestone for its electric truck fleet, which has now traveled over five million kilometres in logistics operations all across Europe since the start of 2025. The fleet, consisting of roughly 200 battery-electric trucks, is being used actively by major logistics players like DB Schenker, Dachser, Duvenbeck, and Dräxlmaier. These eTrucks are powered solely by renewable energy, which, honestly, makes them quite impressive—they show that such vehicles can work reliably in different sectors, including automotive, timber, and food logistics. On average, these electric trucks consume about 90 kWh per 100 km, and they’ve managed to cut CO₂ emissions by roughly 3,600 tonnes compared to diesel trucks that burn about 27 litres per 100 km. If each truck hits its expected lifetime mileage of about 1.2 million km, the total emissions reduced could actually surpass 172,000 tonnes—which is roughly the annual CO₂ output of a German city with around 32,000 inhabitants. Friedrich Baumann, who’s a member of MAN Truck & Bus’s executive board responsible for sales and customer solutions, emphasized how versatile these eTrucks are and how they’re helping push sustainable freight transportation forward across Europe. Production of MAN’s electric models—the eTGX and eTGS—started at the Munich plant in June 2025. These trucks are designed for medium- and long-haul jobs, as well as for construction and municipal services. The production line is flexible, capable of making up to 100 diesel or electric vehicles a day. Demand for electric trucks remains surprisingly strong—shortly after they launched, nearly 800 orders were placed, and the sales jumped by 238% year-on-year during the first half of 2025. MAN’s goal is to surpass 1,000 electric truck orders by the end of this year, which is quite ambitious. The adoption of MAN’s electric trucks isn’t limited to just Germany—it's spreading across Western, Central, and Northern Europe. For example, in Germany, the Behrens Group uses eTGX trucks that are partially powered by solar energy generated right on site—a pretty clear sign of how logistics companies are increasingly integrating renewable energy sources into their operations. In France, Jacky Perrenot has ordered over 100 units, a testament to growing demand. Meanwhile, companies in the Netherlands like Cornelissen, van Doorn, and Koopman deploy these eTrucks for regional and urban deliveries. Poland’s Danone is also using them to reduce supply chain emissions, and Portuguese freight forwarder TJA has incorporated eTrucks into their national logistics network. Further north, firms like Nor Tekstil in Norway, Royal Unibrew in Denmark, and an Austrian municipal group covering 12 cities and towns are all adopting these vehicles too. The Austrian contract even includes up to 45 eTrucks dedicated to municipal services—pretty interesting, right? MAN’s electric trucks can go up to about 800 km per day on a charge, with fast-charging technology supporting up to 750 kW. The batteries are specifically tailored to meet the demands of commercial vehicles, which is pretty handy. Initial pre-series production started in 2024, with around 200 eTrucks delivered to select customers to test and refine these vehicles—setting the stage for larger deployments in 2025. Adding another layer to this effort, MAN has teamed up with German energy giant E.ON to develop a nationwide charging network tailored for heavy-duty electric trucks. The plan? Support Europe’s goal to cut heavy vehicle emissions by as much as 90% by 2040. By the end of 2025, they expect to have over 80 charging sites, with a target of reaching 170 in the longer run. These sites will feature multiple 400 kW fast chargers, enabling trucks to top up enough range for around 300 km in just about 45 minutes—addressing concerns many have about charging infrastructure for commercial vehicles, I think. While MAN is definitely leading the charge in increasing electric truck production and validating their use in real-world logistics, the rest of the industry is also making significant commitments. Daimler Truck, for example, aims to have 50% of its European sales as electric trucks by 2030—selling up to 30,000 EVs in the region within that decade. Their Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, which is scheduled to start production in late 2024, already has about 2,000 orders. That said, the electric commercial vehicle market isn’t without its hurdles—high manufacturing costs, supply chain issues, and the need to improve charging options are real challenges that still need tackling if this sector is to truly grow. All in all, MAN Truck & Bus’s progress really highlights how far the technology has come and how viable electric heavy-duty vehicles are for freight transport. Their ability to deploy eTrucks across a range of logistics environments, combined with developing infrastructure and increasing customer demand, represents a big step toward decarbonizing road freight in Europe. Seems like a promising sign for the future, don’t you think? Source: Noah Wire Services

Owners of the late 90s and early 2000s Volvo V70 models report persistent transmission failures, combining mechanical wear and electronic control faults, raising safety and repair concerns in these popular vehicles.Owners of the Volvo V70, especially those late 90s and early 2000s models—like the 2000 version with the B5244T engine and the AW50-4 automatic transmission—have reported quite a few ongoing transmission problems that can seriously impact both how the vehicle drives and overall safety. There’s a detailed account from a guy in Ecuador who describes a pretty worrying pattern. He says that sometimes, the automatic transmission just doesn’t upshift from first gear—sometimes it gets stuck in third or even fourth gear, and it doesn't downshift when you’re approaching stops or crossing roads. Basically, it sometimes stalls the engine unless the driver manually shifts into neutral. Plus, when he engages engine braking on hills, he notices a persistent gear warning light coming on and the cruise control stops working. It’s like the transmission and the electronic control units aren't playing nice together. When they ran diagnostics with the vehicle’s OBD-II system, they pulled some codes that point to a pretty complicated set of issues. There was an ECM-644A code linked to the camshaft control, TCM-0039 related to the gear shift position sensor, and even a failure in the ABS pump motor. This all suggests a mix of problems—both with the engine management system, the transmission control module (TCM), and the anti-lock braking system (ABS). And honestly, given how modern cars are wired up these days, these kinds of interconnected electronic issues aren’t all that surprising in a V70. What this owner experienced isn’t unique either. Lots of other Volvo V70 owners have noticed similar symptoms—hesitation when shifting gears, unexpected slipping, trouble engaging higher gears, and weird, erratic downshifting. Some even report “shift flares” or rough gear changes, which might hint at internal component wear or electronic glitches gone haywire. Looking into the technical side, a few root causes seem to pop up repeatedly. Mechanical wear inside the transmission—like damaged synchronizer rings, worn gear sets, or hub sleeves—is one big culprit. These wear and tear issues often cause grinding noises, slipping clutches, and difficulties shifting smoothly, and if left unchecked, may finally lead to a total drive failure or serious internal damage. Then there’s the electronic side—specifically, faults within the control units like the TCM. Sensor failures can throw off shift logic and engagement, making the problem worse. Honestly, tackling these issues can get pretty complex because you’re dealing with intertwined mechanical and electronic systems. Safety worries are very real here. Some early 2000s V70 owners talk about their transmissions disengaging at low engine speeds—leading to surges, sudden knocking sounds, or even abrupt gear jumps that can be dangerous. These malfunctions, clearly, underscore the importance of quick diagnosis and proper repairs to avoid accidents. As for repair costs—well—these can swing pretty widely depending on what exactly is wrong. Rebuilding or outright replacing the automatic gearbox isn’t cheap. But ignoring the early warning signs? That’s risky because it could lead to more severe damage and even pricier repairs down the line. Specialized workshops familiar with Volvo gearboxes generally recommend thorough diagnostics—like checking live data from the transmission and engine control modules—and inspecting mechanical parts carefully to plan out the best fix. For those managing fleets or working on early Volvo V70 models with the AW50-4 automatic, it’s pretty important to stay aware of these issues. Keeping up with proactive maintenance, regular checks of fault codes, and paying attention to symptoms like gear hesitation or cruise control problems can save time and prevent breakdowns. Since these systems—transmission, engine, ABS—are so interconnected, having the right diagnostic tools and knowledge about Volvo’s electronic systems is essential if you want to do things properly. In short, while the Volvo V70 remains a well-respected vehicle in many circles, these transmission hiccups really highlight the need for owners and mechanics alike to stay vigilant and handle repairs with precision. If your V70 starts behaving erratically—warning lights, shifting troubles, or control issues—it’s definitely worth getting a good diagnostic done sooner rather than later, so you can avoid bigger problems and keep your vehicle safe and reliable. 📌 Reference Map: - Paragraph 1 – Swedespeed, TrueDelta - Paragraph 2 – Swedespeed, TrueDelta, CarProblemZoo - Paragraph 3 – AutoGuru, TransmissionTroubleHub - Paragraph 4 – CarProblemZoo, CarComplaints, CarProblemZoo - Paragraph 5 – TrueDelta, TransmissionTroubleHub - Paragraph 6 – Swedespeed, CarComplaints, CarProblemzoo - Paragraph 7 – Swedespeed, TrueDelta, TransmissionTroubleHub, CarProblemzoo Source: Noah Wire Services

German supplier Mahle prepares to launch OEM-quality high-voltage charging parts and diagnostic tools in 2025, addressing reliability issues and supporting the growing EV servicing sector and infrastructure expansion.German automotive supplier Mahle is gearing up to enter the global electric vehicle (EV) aftermarket with a pretty innovative lineup of high-voltage charging components—so, basically, they’re expanding beyond their traditional role in original equipment manufacturing (OEM). Starting in 2025, Mahle has plans to roll out input filters from October and onboard chargers (OBCs) by the end of that year. At first, these will be fitted into models from brands like Renault, Peugeot, Citroën, DS, and Opel. These components—they handle converting AC from the grid into DC for EV batteries and also keep systems safe from voltage spikes during charging—are directly from Mahle’s OEM operations, so they meet the highest quality standards, no doubt about that. Mahle really emphasizes how important high-voltage parts are becoming in the EV spare parts and servicing market. After all, these components tend to degrade over time due to factors like aging, vibration, moisture getting in, and overheating—as you might expect with electrical systems under constant stress. The company is predicting strong demand in the aftermarket, which makes sense, considering the rapid growth of EV fleets and the maintenance they’ll require. They also plan to introduce more power electronics and high-voltage parts throughout 2026, soon broadening their portfolio to cover a wider range of vehicle types. This step basically fills a crucial gap in the market, especially as EV adoption accelerates worldwide. Workshop networks will need OEM-quality parts to properly repair and maintain electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Dr. Armin Messerer, who’s the Head of Product Management and Purchasing at Mahle Lifecycle and Mobility, explains that this move will benefit both workshops and end users—since Mahle’s deep roots in OEM technology in drive systems, charging, and thermal management are now reflected comprehensively in services and spare parts. That said, Mahle’s aftermarket launch comes at a pretty relevant time, especially considering some recent reports about reliability issues with their onboard chargers installed in certain Stellantis vehicles. For instance, Leipzig-based rental operator Nextmove revealed that roughly one in three Opel Corsa-e vehicles in their fleet had experienced charger failures. These issues have led to costly replacements—sometimes over €2,000—and long downtimes, which is obviously a real headache. Independent repair specialists like EV Clinic have also documented recurring problems with these chargers. To me, all this highlights just how critical it is for the aftermarket to have robust, reliable components that meet OEM standards—not just average parts. Looking ahead, Mahle will showcase its expanded solutions for electric mobility at the upcoming IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich. Among the highlights will be their TechPRO® 2 diagnostic tool, now featuring artificial intelligence, and the E-HEALTH-Charge battery diagnostic system. This new system can diagnose high-voltage batteries rapidly—under 15 minutes—providing workshops with important info like battery health, error codes, and safety parameters without needing an extremely technical background beforehand. In addition, Mahle is advancing their presence in EV charging infrastructure. They’ve secured a series order for a high-performance cooling module designed for megawatt charging stations that serve electric commercial vehicles. This cooling module, which should go into production by late 2025, addresses the critical thermal management challenge faced by fast chargers—supporting rapid charging capacities up to 3.75 megawatts. Its modular design and flexible application mean it isn’t just for passenger cars but also for light commercial vehicles, maritime, and rail systems. Clearly, Mahle is committed to covering extensive parts of the EV ecosystem. All these initiatives really show Mahle’s strategic focus on blending their extensive expertise in electrification, thermal management, and power electronics to support the increasing demands of the EV aftermarket and charging infrastructure. As repair shops face mounting complexity and a higher volume of electric vehicle repairs, having access to OEM-level high-voltage parts and diagnostic tools will be absolutely crucial for ensuring reliable, quick service—so the growth of electric mobility can stay sustainable and efficient. References: - Paragraph 1 – [1], [2], [3], [4] - Paragraph 2 – [1], [2], [3], [4] - Paragraph 3 – [1], [3], [4] - Paragraph 4 – [1], [3] - Paragraph 5 – [1], [5] - Paragraph 6 – [6] - Paragraph 7 – [1], [3], [4], [6] (Note: Links refer to the sources provided in the original content.) Source: Noah Wire Services