Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/741843
commercial carrier journal | october 2016 77 Electrification, autonomous concepts lead the way at IAA 2016 G lobal truck and bus manufacturers and industry suppliers showcased a wide range of innovations at IAA 2016, the world's largest trucking trade show held biennially in Hannover, Germany. New product announcements during two days of press conferences centered almost exclusively around two main themes: autonomous vehi- cle solutions and electrification. Plugging in Electric trucks and buses were a main focus for nearly every OEM and supplier at IAA 2016. The surge in interest for commercial electric vehicles has been fueled by a decrease in battery cost cou- pled with major advancements in battery technology. Dr. Wolfgang Bernhard, head of Daimler Trucks, admitted he was surprised by the possibilities of electric trucks in the near fu- ture, but said they still will be best-suited for urban environments. "I'm on record saying I didn't see electric trucks in the foreseeable future two years ago," Bernhard said. "But battery technology has changed more drastically than we ever hoped for. We are reaching the tipping point by the end of the decade where [demand for] electric vehicles will kick in." While the push for electric trucks and buses certainly will arrive in the European and Asian markets first, several related announcements at IAA 2016 focused on electric vehicle solutions destined for the North American market in the near future. On the heels of the previously announced Vision Van concept, Mercedes-Benz Vans said interest in electric vans is picking up globally, and those products soon will appear in the U.S. market. "Electric vans are especially well-suited for low-mileage, inner-city applications," said Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mer- cedes-Benz Vans, who added the company could introduce an electric van in 2018 for certain global markets. Across the Pacific, Daimler Trucks Asia is itching to get back into the United States and Canada with a Fuso Canter product after relinquishing a 20 percent-plus market share due to a delay in the 2017 model-year release because its Fiat-supplied engines didn't receive the necessary engine emissions certifications. Marc Llistosella, head of Daimler Trucks Asia, aims to turn Fuso's North American fortunes around with the introduction of the Fuso eCanter (previously called the Mitsubishi Fuso Canter E-Cell). The company launched its first electric Fuso truck pro- totype in 2011 at the Tokyo Motor Show, but Llistosella acknowl- edged that the vehicle with a 100-km range will require better operating ranges and speed for widespread adoption in the North American market. "Interest is high for electric vehicles in North America," said Llistosella. "There is willingness to change," but added the chal- lenges remain vehicle range, infrastructure and price. As Daimler Trucks Asia addresses these concerns, it plans to start small-series production of the eCanter in the United States, Germany and Japan by the end of 2017, with an advanced eCant- er launch worldwide in 2018. Autonomous trucks take center stage Daimler kicked the week off with a media event on the eve of IAA Wabco and ZF's jointly developed Evasive Maneuver Assist system automatically steers to avoid an imminent collision in conditions where fully active braking can't slow the truck in time.