Nexen's NBlue S tyres chosen for Kia’s first purpose-built electric van to enhance urban logistics

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

Proton’s new RM82 million EV assembly plant in Tanjung Malim marks a major milestone in Malaysia’s push to become a key regional hub for electric vehicle manufacturing and exports, with rapid production starts and strategic collaborations paving the way for future growth.Malaysia has made quite a big step forward in its plans to become a regional hub for electric vehicles (EVs), with the official opening of Proton’s very first dedicated EV assembly plant. This new facility is located within the Automotive High Tech Valley (AHTV) in Tanjung Malim, and it was recently launched by Prime Minister YAB Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim. As Malaysia’s first-ever exclusive EV production plant, it definitely marks a major milestone in the evolution of the country's automotive industry and its push toward more sustainable mobility options. The project involved a hefty RM82 million investment spread over 5.57 acres, showing Proton’s strong commitment to EV manufacturing. Construction started in early 2025, and impressively, the plant was ready to operate in just about seven months. That quick turnaround really speaks to how urgent and large-scale Proton’s electrification efforts are. At the start, the plant is set up to produce around 20,000 EVs every year, but the infrastructure is designed to eventually ramp up to 45,000 units annually, to meet the increasing demand both locally and hopefully for export markets. This planned expansion aims to make Malaysia more of a key player within regional and global EV supply chains. The plant has already begun production, starting with the Proton e.MAS 7 — which is actually Malaysia’s best-selling EV ever since it was launched in December 2024. This fully electric SUV is at the heart of Proton’s move into zero-emission vehicles and benefits from a modern production line with high-tech features — including advanced chassis assembly, EV-specific electrical testing, and solid quality control measures. These were developed through a collaboration with Geely, Proton’s strategic partner. Up next for production is the Proton e.MAS 5, which targets a slightly broader market segment and is expected to be launched soon. Not only that, but the facility is also poised to assemble premium EVs from Geely’s lineup, like the Zeekr brand, which will boost Malaysia’s role as a regional export hub for innovative electric mobility solutions. During the launch event, senior government officials and industry players emphasized the importance of the plant. Perak Menteri Besar YAB Dato’ Seri Saarani Mohamad was there, along with ministers from Investment, Trade and Industry, Transport, and Science, Technology and Innovation. Also present were representatives from DRB-HICOM, Proton’s parent company, and Li Shufu, the chairman of Geely. It really highlighted how strategic this collaboration is. Dr. Li Chunrong, Proton’s CEO, pointed out that the plant, equipped with cutting-edge automation and staffed initially by 30 trained operators, is a core part of Malaysia’s automotive future. He also mentioned that as production scales, the plant could create over 200 new jobs — which is pretty encouraging. Supporting the development of this new plant is the plan to establish a dedicated railway logistics hub within AHTV. MoUs have been signed between the AHTV Alliance Sdn Bhd, Railway Assets Corporation (RAC), and Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM), aiming to make rail container transport a key part of the logistics chain to complement road deliveries. This move aligns nicely with the Transport Ministry’s policy to strengthen rail-based cargo movement, helping to lessen the heavy truck traffic, and making supply chains more resilient. Plus, switching to rail logistics is a step toward sustainability goals, and it should enhance the efficiency and reliability of distributing parts and finished vehicles — critical factors in EV manufacturing and export logistics, honestly. The bigger picture here is that the development of AHTV, which is designated as a high-impact project under Malaysia's 13th Malaysia Plan, is meant to turn the zone into a dynamic industrial hub for future vehicle production. Proton’s new EV plant plays a central role in realizing this vision, positioning Tanjung Malim as an important gateway within Southeast Asia’s growing electric vehicle supply network. All in all, Proton’s push, supported by Malaysian authorities, into EV manufacturing really showcases how national policies, foreign investments, and tech innovations are coming together. It’s also a clear reflection of global trends — shifting towards electrification, localizing supply chains, and improving sustainable logistics. It’s pretty interesting, right? I mean, seeing how this all fits together. Source: Noah Wire Services

Kia prepares to expand its European EV lineup with the debut of the EV5 at IAA Mobility 2025, showcasing innovative features and a versatile model range amid a competitive market landscape.Kia is gearing up to boost its footprint in the European electric vehicle scene with a big showcase at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich. The event will see the company revealing several new and existing EV models to the public. As the company announced, this will mark the European debut of the Kia EV5—a fully electric SUV in the C-segment, designed to appeal to modern families and people with active lifestyles. This launch is part of Kia’s broader plan to expand its EV lineup across different segments, highlighting the EV5 alongside concepts like the EV2, EV3, EV4, as well as the new EV6 GT, EV9 GT, and the PV5 light commercial vehicle. Visitors attending the event can actually test drive some of these models, including the EV3, the latest EV6 versions, and the EV9. Kia’s display will feature an innovative outdoor setup, called 'Windows of Inspiration,' with mirrored pillars and zoned areas that aim to blend with Munich’s city environment—showcasing the brand’s vision for sustainable mobility. At the heart of Kia’s reveal is the EV5, which, according to the company, combines a bold SUV look with a practical interior. It features full-flat folding seats in the second row and rear-seat back tables, adding to its functionality. Built on the E-GMP platform, the EV5 is said to have a range of up to 530 km, and it supports fast DC charging—replenishing from 10% to 80% in about half an hour. It also comes with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) capabilities, a towing capacity reaching 1,200 kg, and a panoramic wide display inside, designed to give a lounge-like vibe. The global launch is scheduled for late 2025, initially in South Korea and Europe, with North American availability expected early next year. Power-wise, the EV5 is equipped with a front-mounted 160 kW motor, which provides around 217 PS, and it can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in just over eight seconds. Its top speed is approximately 102 mph. There will be three trim options, with the top-tier 'GT-Line S' offering features like a sunroof, ventilated seats, and a 360-degree camera system. Alongside the EV5, Kia is also previewing the EV2—a compact urban SUV made for city driving, which should start production sometime next year. The EV4 is another addition that emphasizes long-range capability, offering up to 625 km (WLTP), along with fast-charging tech. It’s really targeted at consumers who want a reliable, electrified C-segment model. On top of that, models like the new EV6 GT and EV9 GT highlight Kia’s focus on blending electrification with sporty performance. The EV6 GT outputs 650 PS and can go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds, while the EV9 GT offers 508 PS and features electronically controlled suspension for a smoother ride. There’s also the PV5, Kia’s new entry into the light commercial vehicle market. This model is built on a modular platform that can be adapted to up to 16 different variants, giving it a lot of flexibility whether used for passengers or commercial purposes. This signals Kia’s strategic move to grow beyond traditional passenger cars and into emerging mobility sectors. The EV market in Europe is getting more competitive all the time. Manufacturers are racing against each other to meet stricter emissions rules and rising consumer demand for clean, electric options. Kia’s aggressive push and multi-model EV strategy seem to be in line with these industry trends. Still, some analysts warn that the success of these new models will depend heavily on things like charging station availability, battery costs, and whether consumers across Europe are ready to adopt electric vehicles. Kia’s global brand head mentioned that major shows like IAA Mobility are crucial for boosting the brand’s image and presence in the European market—after all, Europe’s a pretty key battleground for EV adoption these days. As EVs continue transforming the automotive landscape, Kia’s approach—offering multiple models suited for urban drivers, families, or commercial users—sends a clear message: they want to be part of this electric future. But whether they’ll succeed long-term remains to be seen, especially as industry watchers will keep a close eye on how well Kia’s tech, infrastructure support, and regional strategies perform in real-world conditions. References: - Paragraph 1 — [1], [4] - Paragraph 2 — [1], [2], [3], [5], [6], [7] - Paragraph 3 — [1], [4], [2], [3] - Paragraph 4 — Industry insights sourced from [1] and broader automotive sector analysis. Source: Noah Wire Services