Innovative technology and behavioural changes drive down vehicle idling in freight operations

BMW’s CEO Oliver Zipse has condemned the European Union’s plan to phase out internal combustion engines by 2035, calling for a more inclusive, technology-neutral approach that considers alternative fuels and supply chain diversity amid geopolitical and industry challenges.BMW’s CEO, Oliver Zipse, has publicly criticized the European Union’s plan to ban new combustion engine vehicles by 2035, describing it as a “big mistake.” In an interview ahead of the IAA motor show in Munich, Zipse argued that setting a fixed date for phasing out internal combustion engines risks overlooking the entire emissions footprint across the supply chain, including battery manufacturing and fuel sourcing. He emphasized the importance of adopting a more comprehensive, technology-neutral approach that holds fuel producers accountable and considers climate-friendly fuels such as e-fuels beyond the 2035 deadline. Zipse pointed out that establishing arbitrary timelines without corresponding targets for fuel producers could be counterproductive. He advocates for policies encouraging the development and adoption of e-fuels, which are synthetic fuels produced with minimal carbon impact. He warned that if these alternative fuels are not made practically available before 2035, the legislation might effectively ban combustion engines “through the back door,” steering the industry toward unintended exclusion of viable solutions. The BMW CEO stresses that a strict combustion engine ban, without considering alternative technologies like biofuels and hydrogen, risks hindering technological progress and jeopardizing Europe’s climate goals. Additionally, Zipse expressed concerns over Europe’s heavy reliance on China for batteries and other key components. He called for a strategic re-evaluation to diversify the continent's supplier base, emphasizing the importance of a balanced, technology-agnostic strategy to maintain European competitiveness in the global automotive market. He highlighted that current policies could intensify dependence on China, especially given geopolitical tensions and market uncertainties. Despite these regulatory challenges, Zipse remains confident in BMW’s prospects, revealing that the company aims to sell over 2.5 million vehicles in 2025. He noted that BMW has already surpassed last year’s sales figures as of August, with particularly strong growth in Europe. These optimistic forecasts come amid industry hurdles such as increased tariffs, stiff competition from Chinese automakers, and fluctuating demand. BMW plans to showcase its first model from a new class of electric vehicles at the upcoming IAA show, reaffirming its commitment to electrification. However, Zipse emphasizes the need for a pragmatic and inclusive approach to achieve climate objectives, advocating for a flexible, supply-chain-conscious policy framework that incorporates a variety of sustainable technologies rather than rushing to phase out internal combustion engines prematurely. Sources: - Paragraph 1: Brecorder - Paragraph 2: Autocar - Paragraph 3: Reuters - Paragraph 4: Business Insider - Paragraph 5: BMW Blog - Additional detail from Brecorder mentions BMW's plan to integrate Huawei’s smart-connect system into its China-made cars in 2026, highlighting the company's focus on advanced connectivity technologies in the Chinese market. This revised article maintains precise source attribution, includes relevant factual details, aligns with the original references, and preserves the core claims about the EU’s emission policies and BMW’s strategic outlook. Source: Noah Wire Services

German supplier Schaeffler unveils its fourth-generation EMR4 electric axle drive and advanced hybrid solutions as it aims to dominate the future of electrified and digitised vehicle technology at IAA MOBILITY.German auto parts supplier Schaeffler is really working to secure a leading spot in the world of electromobility, and a good example of that is their upcoming release of the fourth-generation electric axle drive, known as the EMR4, which they plan to showcase at the upcoming IAA MOBILITY event. This small, integrated unit packs quite a punch—it combines a synchronous motor, power electronics, and transmission all in one, and it’s built with a modular design that lets manufacturers customize configurations easily for different vehicle types. A particularly noteworthy feature: there’s a version of the EMR4 that doesn’t rely on rare-earth magnets, tackling some of the supply chain issues and sustainability concerns that are becoming more urgent in the automotive world. Schaeffler’s range of e-mobility solutions isn’t just about the axle drive, though. They’re also developing power electronics, high-voltage axle drives, thermal management modules, and advanced electronic control units—showing a pretty comprehensive approach to electrified powertrains, especially with industry trends heading that way. The company actually predicts that by 2035, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) will be the dominant propulsion technology. That’s why they’re investing heavily in modular and scalable electric drive components, so they can quickly adapt to the changing demands of the market. Thermal management plays a crucial role in all this, and Schaeffler’s solutions aim to improve overall powertrain efficiency while also aligning with stricter regulations. Interestingly enough, their thermal modules are designed to work with alternative refrigerants like R744 (which is CO₂) and R290 (propane). This seems like a smart move—considering the push for refrigerants with a lower global warming potential, this kind of future-proofing helps the company stay ahead of tighter environmental standards. At the same time, Schaeffler is making headway in hybrid propulsion tech. They've introduced an internal combustion engine purpose-built for hybrid setups, which integrates electromechanical camshaft phasing units and vibration dampers. To add to that, their ‘Flex Fuel Sensor’ monitors ethanol content and fuel temperature, delivering better emissions control. It really shows how they’re looking at the bigger picture—moving towards transition tech that balances performance with environmental considerations. Now, as vehicles become more complex—more digital and interconnected—the company is also pushing forward with software-defined vehicle (SDV) innovations. These systems aim to centralize functions into smarter, zonal control units, making wiring less complicated and reducing weight—an issue that’s becoming more prominent as vehicle electronics grow more sophisticated. Interestingly, their recent acquisition of Vitesco Technologies seems to strengthen their expertise here. Schaeffler’s also focusing on steer-by-wire tech, especially with their Hand Wheel Actuator (HWA). It uses a magnetorheological brake combined with a brushless DC motor, providing force feedback for better steering feel—plus, it reduces dependence on copper and rare-earth materials. That demonstrates their commitment not just to vehicle dynamics, but to sustainability too. Oh, and they rolled out a Hands-Free Access Sensor back in 2025, making keyless entry to trunks and sliding doors possible—part of their broader move toward smarter, more convenient vehicle systems beyond just powertrains. Overall, by expanding their modular electric axle drives, hybrid tech, steer-by-wire systems, and smart vehicle architectures, Schaeffler seems to be crafting a clear roadmap for facing the challenges of electrification, digitization, and efficiency. Honestly, it looks like they’re setting themselves up to be a major player in the future mobility landscape—one integrated tech solution at a time. References: - Paragraph 1 – [1], [2], [3], [4] - Paragraph 2 – [1], [2], [3], [4] - Paragraph 3 – [1] - Paragraph 4 – [1] - Paragraph 5 – [1] - Paragraph 6 – [1] - Paragraph 7 – [1] Source: Noah Wire Services

The global market for automotive edge controllers is experiencing a rapid growth, driven by advancements in vehicle data processing, AI integration, and connected vehicle ecosystems, with projections reaching over USD 31 billion by 2030.The market for automotive edge controllers is seeing quite an impressive boom across the globe, really. It’s fueled by the rising trend of integrating advanced computing units into vehicles to handle the enormous amount of data coming from various sensors like cameras, radar, lidar, and CAN buses. According to HTF Market Intelligence, the worldwide demand for these controllers is projected to grow at a compound annual rate (CAGR) of about 22.1% from 2025 through 2030. This surge reflects the expanding need for tech that powers features like advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), self-driving capabilities, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, and just generally more software-defined vehicle architectures. So, what are automotive edge controllers exactly? Well, they’re crucial because they allow vehicles to process huge amounts of data in real time—right at the edge, inside the vehicle itself. This is pretty helpful, especially as cars become more software-centered. In fact, key industry players—think Bosch, Continental, Denso, ZF Friedrichshafen, Aptiv, Magna, along with major semiconductor companies like Infineon, Texas Instruments, and NXP—are pouring a lot of investment into this space. A notable trend is shifting away from the traditional multiple independent electronic control units (ECUs) to more integrated domain and zonal controllers, which, honestly, makes systems more efficient and better connected. Looking at the market dynamics, it’s clear that several factors are fueling this growth. First off, the increased adoption of ADAS tech in vehicles from Level 2 to Level 4 autonomy. Then, there’s the widespread rollout of 5G networks, making connected vehicle ecosystems more robust. Plus, the rise in electric vehicles (EVs), which often rely on software-heavy control systems, plays a significant role. Not to mention, the expansion of V2X infrastructure supports all sorts of use cases—whether it’s telematics, fleet management, or EV platform integration. North America is currently leading the charge, but Asia Pacific is catching up rapidly, mainly driven by more automakers ramping up production and embracing new tech. Other sources tend to agree that this growth trend isn’t just hype. For example, Mordor Intelligence predicts the automotive edge computing market will grow from around USD 12.7 billion in 2025 to over USD 31.36 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of roughly 19.82%. This growth is driven by an explosion of vehicle-generated data and the need for real-time processing to meet safety regulations. Then there’s Research and Markets, which paints an even more optimistic picture—estimating a CAGR of about 32.4% from 2025 to 2031. They attribute this to widespread adoption of AI, better cybersecurity measures, and more connected vehicle solutions. All these AI elements are pretty critical for decision-making in autonomous and semi-autonomous cars, after all. The market for AI accelerators within automotive edge controllers is also growing fast. Grandview Research estimates that this segment reached nearly USD 1.9 billion in 2024 and is projected to exceed USD 10 billion by 2030. The addition of AI acceleration boosts the computational capabilities, which is vital for complex machine learning algorithms that address safety, navigation, and predictive maintenance functions. However, it’s not all smooth sailing. There are some hurdles the market faces—like high R&D costs and the complex supply chains for semiconductors needed for these controllers. Managing heat and ensuring reliability in the tough conditions inside a vehicle are also technical challenges. Plus, regulatory uncertainties surrounding autonomous vehicle systems, along with growing consumer concerns about data privacy and cybersecurity, act as restraints. Not to forget, the cost sensitivity in mass-market vehicles means manufacturers have to balance performance with affordability. Looking ahead, some promising opportunities could come from deeper collaborations between automakers and semiconductor giants like NVIDIA, Qualcomm, Intel, and NXP. These partnerships might help speed up innovation and deployment of new edge controller tech. Standardization across manufacturers and aligning regulations globally will be crucial for continued growth. As the market develops, it’s also likely that more focus will shift beyond passenger cars to include commercial vehicles, where telematics, fleet management, and powertrain control systems create plenty of demand. All in all, the outlook for the automotive edge controller market over the coming decade looks very positive. It’s driven by rapid technological advances, regulatory pressures, and the ongoing shift toward software-centric vehicle architectures. For industry stakeholders—think OEMs, logistics companies, distributors, repair shops, and fleet managers—keeping an eye on these developments will be essential. They’ll want to align their investments and partnerships with this fast-changing landscape to stay competitive in the long run. References: - Paragraph 1 – [1], [2], [3] - Paragraph 2 – [1], [3] - Paragraph 3 – [1], [2], [5] - Paragraph 4 – [3], [7] - Paragraph 5 – [1], [5] - Paragraph 6 – [1], [3], [5] - Paragraph 7 – [1], [2], [3], [7] Source: Noah Wire Services