Commercial vehicles
Emission-free heavy goods transport: Gruber Logistics, Iveco and AIT start practical test
As part of the Empower research project, a six-month test phase with a battery-electric, zero-emission truck prototype from Iveco for heavy commercial vehicles will start in mid-June 2026. In collaboration with Gruber Logistics, the prototype based on the Iveco S-eWay series chassis will be deployed from the company's site in north-eastern Italy.
Iveco, Gruber Logistics and the AIT (Austrian Institute of Technology) are involved. The test operation is taking place within the LTL division of Gruber Logistics (Less Than Truckload) and includes groupage and part-load transports. The truck, which has a range of up to 400 kilometers, will be tested in real logistics operations until the end of 2026 after initial tests have been successfully completed on a site in Ulm. The aim is to use new technologies under real-life conditions and accelerate the market launch of emission-free transportation.
New features include improved cab insulation and HMI functions to optimize routes and energy consumption. The vehicle has been adapted for use with swap bodies, including an extended frame, a customized subframe and additional rear cameras.
Empower project EU-funded
The Empower project stands for Eco-operated, Modular, highly efficient, and flexible multi-Powertrain for long-haul heavy-duty vehicles. The aim of the project is to make an important contribution to the scalable introduction of emission-free freight transportation in Europe.
The EU-funded Empower project aims to make zero-emission drives scalable for heavy goods transport. The data collected in the test is intended to support the further development of future electric truck platforms.
The prototype has five batteries with a total capacity of 300 kWh and an electric drive axle with 480 kW. During the test phase, comprehensive operating data will be recorded and evaluated in Bologna. Charging via a mobile unit and deployment planning will also take place there.
Once the test phase is complete, testing of a hydrogen-powered truck with fuel cell technology is planned for 2027. In the long term, the collaboration between the project partners should lead to large-scale practical tests and a faster introduction of zero-emission commercial vehicles in Europe.
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