ZF unveils adaptable 8HP evo transmission to accelerate hybrid electrification

MAN Truck & Bus's fully electric trucks have surpassed five million kilometres across Europe in demanding operational roles, demonstrating their viability and rapid adoption in sustainable commercial transport, with major companies and municipalities leading the charge.Since early 2025, MAN Truck & Bus's fully electric trucks have traveled over five million kilometres in demanding daily operations across Europe, really showing their increasing viability and acceptance in the world of commercial logistics. Big names in European logistics, like DB Schenker, Dachser, Duvenbeck, and Dräxlmaier, played a big part in reaching this milestone. These approximately 200 battery-electric trucks, which consume about 90 kWh per 100 km on average, have together helped save roughly 3,600 tonnes of CO₂, especially when compared to traditional diesel trucks that burn around 27 litres per 100 km. If you think about it, over the trucks’ typical lifespan — which is around 1.2 million kilometres — that could amount to roughly 172,000 tonnes of CO₂ saved. To put that into perspective, it’s about the same as what a mid-sized German city of around 32,000 people might produce each year. What’s quite remarkable is how versatile MAN's eTGX and eTGS electric models have proven to be, operating successfully in all sorts of sectors. These include automotive logistics, timber, food transportation, and municipal services. They’re built at MAN’s Munich plant, where they use a pretty innovative mixed production line—capable of rolling out up to 100 units every day. These trucks are designed not just for city driving but also for medium to long-distance haulage, construction jobs, and urban deliveries. Friedrich Baumann, who’s in charge of Sales and Customer Solutions at MAN Truck & Bus, mentions that hitting five million kilometres practically serves as "impressive proof of the practical suitability" of their electric trucks, really highlighting how adaptable they are in real-world settings. The first batch—about 200 pre-series electric trucks—rolled off the line in 2024. They were built for customers eager to move toward electric mobility. These trucks have been put to work in several countries—Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Poland, Portugal, Norway, Denmark—you get the idea. For instance, the Behrens Group, a major German timber wholesaler, has clocked over 50,000 kilometres using MAN eTGX trucks equipped with swap bodies for electric forklifts and partly powered by solar energy. Then there’s the Jacky Perrenot Group in France, which ordered over 100 units for food delivery, and Danone in Poland, using these trucks to cut back on supply chain emissions. Also, Royal Unibrew in Denmark and Nor Tekstil—the largest textile service provider in Norway—have incorporated MAN eTrucks into their fleets. It’s like a wave across Europe toward greener logistics. And it’s not just companies—the public sector is taking note too. An Austrian consortium, involving 12 cities and municipalities, has signed contracts for up to 45 MAN electric trucks, which signals a rising trend in municipal adoption. From a production side, MAN aims to exceed 1,000 electric truck orders by the end of 2025. That’s after they saw nearly 800 confirmed orders shortly after starting series production in June 2024. In fact, there was a huge jump—about 238% more electric vehicles sold in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period the previous year. Admittedly, they started from a pretty low base, but still, the growth is promising. These trucks are also quite capable on long hauls, with typical daily ranges between 400 and 600 kilometres, and some even reaching up to 800 km with strategic charging in between, as Dr Frederik Zohm, one of MAN’s R&D leaders, points out. A core part of the MAN approach is modular battery design and durability, which aims to make it easier for fleet operators to transition, especially since they often have heavy-duty schedules. From the feedback so far, it seems that electric trucks can handle the tough demands of various tasks, while also delivering environmental advantages and dependable operation. It’s pretty interesting, right? I find it surprising that electric trucks like these can really match up to traditional diesel ones in so many ways—while also helping reduce emissions significantly. The future of logistics, it seems, is heading toward cleaner, smarter technology, and MAN appears to be leading quite well in that shift. Source: Noah Wire Services

HERE Technologies and AWS have launched the SDV Accelerator, a comprehensive platform designed to streamline the development of software-defined vehicles through cloud services, AI simulations, and customisable navigation technology, marking a significant advance in automotive digital transformation.HERE Technologies and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have teamed up to introduce the SDV Accelerator—a comprehensive set of tools aimed at speeding up how automakers develop software-defined vehicles (SDVs). This initiative combines cloud services, pre-selected partner solutions available via AWS Marketplace, and a framework of guidelines along with sample code. The goal, really, is to make it easier and faster for automotive companies to integrate advanced vehicle technologies, all while improving supply chain management — which, let’s be honest, is a significant part of the puzzle. This SDV Accelerator builds upon a partnership that started back in 2022 between HERE and AWS. It now brings in specific resources designed to support independent software vendors (ISVs)—those key players who are really pushing the industry towards cloud-based vehicle architectures. Its modular, open design aligns with industry standards, meaning different development teams—say, the folks working on ADAS or infotainment—can collaborate without losing control over their own software components. That kind of flexibility is super important if they want to preserve brand identity and keep pushing innovation across the vehicle’s software lifecycle. Remco Timmer, who’s HERE’s SVP and leads their automotive solutions, highlighted that this accelerator can help automakers shrink their development cycles, boost collaboration, and stay in the driver’s seat when it comes to product roadmaps and brand experience. One feature that really stands out is SceneXtract—a simulation tool powered by AI, which HERE and AWS recently rolled out. It combines HERE’s high-definition Live Map data with AWS’s AI tech to create realistic virtual driving environments quickly. Honestly, this makes testing and validating ADAS and autonomous driving functions a lot more efficient, saving both time and money. Being able to simulate real-world scenarios rapidly is a game-changer now, especially as automakers face ever-stringent safety and performance standards—plus, they’re rushing to get their vehicles out to market sooner. But it’s not just about software; the partnership also pushes into supply chain optimization. HERE’s detailed location and map data, combined with AWS’s cloud infrastructure, helps improve fleet management and logistics—think better shipment visibility and more efficient deliveries. This has become increasingly important in automotive manufacturing and distribution, don’t you think? Oh, and HERE has also launched the HERE Navigation SDK for SDVs. This allows automakers to customize user interfaces—tailoring them to match their brand identities. The SDK supports larger screens and smooth integration of infotainment and ADAS features, reflecting a clear trend toward personalized in-car digital experiences. For example, Sony Honda Mobility has already adopted the SDK for its AFEELA vehicle line, which shows just how serious industry players are about bespoke vehicle software environments. All in all, the SDV Accelerator and its related tools arrive at a pretty crucial juncture in the digital transformation of the automotive world. With HERE achieving AWS Automotive Competency early in 2024, their strengthened partnership definitely points to a shared commitment to pushing cloud-based innovation forward in SDVs. And it’s interesting to note that other collaborations—like AWS working with Valeo on cloud-native SDV solutions—also suggest a bigger picture: cloud infrastructure, AI-driven simulations, and open software ecosystems are becoming core foundations for the next-gen connected, autonomous, and highly customizable vehicles. In summary, the SDV Accelerator marks a significant leap in the software-defined vehicle landscape. By bringing together cloud services, AI-powered simulation, and cutting-edge mapping tech into one cohesive platform, it promises faster, more cost-effective development—it’s pretty impressive, right? Importantly, it allows automakers to navigate the complexities of digital innovation while maintaining control over their technologies and brands in an increasingly competitive market. Source: Noah Wire Services

China emerges as a dominant force in electric vehicle adoption and innovation, prompting regional shifts and strategic adaptations worldwide amid regulatory crackdowns and rising competition in Europe.The automotive world is currently going through quite a significant shift. According to the latest edition of Roland Berger’s Automotive Disruption Radar (ADR 14), China is clearly stepping into the spotlight as the undisputed leader when it comes to both tech advancements and market growth. The report points out how the global automotive scene is changing rapidly, specifically emphasizing China’s dominance in electric vehicles (EVs), the quick pace of vehicle development, and the expansion of charging networks. This leadership position is mostly due to China’s high level of consumer readiness—about 95% of car owners there say they’re willing to buy an EV—and a substantial share of EVs making up roughly 25% of new car sales, which is more than double Europe’s sluggish 12%. Chinese automakers have gained these milestones partly because their vehicle development cycles are notably shorter, clocking in at between 24 and 40 months—compared to Europe’s typical 48 to 60 months. That’s allowed them to innovate faster and launch new models more quickly. On the flip side, Germany—arguably Europe’s top auto nation, ranking seventh in the survey—still exhibits strengths in autonomous driving tech, patent activity, and a robust export-focused OEM sector. Still, it faces some hurdles, like waning consumer interest in shared mobility options and a bit of hesitance toward digital sales channels. Looking at the bigger picture, the survey shows a clear divergence developing across regional automotive ecosystems. There’s a notable gap in technology standards, regulations, and what consumers want, especially between China and Western markets. This trend suggests that the industry is slowly “decoupling,” meaning different regions are evolving in their own directions. For automakers, this probably means they need to craft strategies that are tailored to each market. Stefan Riederle, a partner at Roland Berger, mentions that while fully splitting vehicle architectures might not be feasible because of business realities, automakers will need to operate with dual systems—one designed specifically for China and another for other parts of the world. Over in the US, the picture is somewhat different—showing a slowdown in innovation momentum and less enthusiasm among consumers for emerging mobility ideas like shared ownership. Interestingly enough, the US has slipped to 14th place in the global rankings. Plus, the trend toward increased private vehicle ownership in mature markets like the US, Japan, Germany, and China stands in contrast to shifting preferences in other regions. That definitely muddies the waters when it comes to predicting the overall industry trajectory. Despite China’s rapid rise, it isn’t all smooth sailing domestically. Reuters reports that China’s industry ministry has started a three-month campaign aimed at tackling false advertising practices and irregular online behavior in the auto sector. This crackdown is a reaction to the harmful effects of fierce price competition and misleading ads impacting manufacturers, suppliers, and dealerships alike. The campaign is pushing for immediate corrections from automakers and digital platforms, to curb the spread of negative content that’s driven by profit motives and unfair market tactics. Interestingly, this regulatory effort comes at a time when sales growth for EVs and hybrids in China has slowed to its slowest pace in about 18 months—proof that even the world’s leading markets aren’t immune to volatility. In Europe, the rise of Chinese EV brands has definitely prompted established players to step up their game. Volkswagen, to give an example, is refreshing its lineup, ramping up software features, and forming strategic partnerships—like collaborations with Rivian and Xpeng—in an effort to stay competitive. As the Financial Times reports, Chinese brands now hold around 10.7% of the European EV market. This has pushed traditional German automakers, including BMW and Mercedes-Benz, to come out with next-generation models that boast better batteries and smarter software, all aimed at keeping their market share from slipping away. For those of us working within the auto industry, what’s clear is that understanding this landscape isn't just about keeping up—it’s about really tailoring strategies to navigate the deepening split across regional markets. OEMs, suppliers, and distributors need to accept that they must adapt to a wider array of rules, standards, and customer expectations if they want to stay competitive worldwide. 📌 Reference Map: - Paragraph 1: [1], [2] - Paragraph 2: [1], [2] - Paragraph 3: [1] - Paragraph 4: [1] - Paragraph 5: [4], [5], [6] - Paragraph 6: [3] Source: Noah Wire Services