BMW Group has announced it has introduced its first hydrogen-powered trucks into regular operation as part of the European H2Haul project. These zero-emission fuel cell trucks will transport goods between Leipzig, Landsberg, and Nuremberg, aiming to evaluate the practicality of hydrogen trucks in everyday logistics. The initiative supports BMW's strategy to reduce logistics emissions and achieve zero-emission transport. To facilitate this, BMW is constructing 2 hydrogen refuelling stations in Leipzig and Hormersdorf, designed for rapid, large-volume refuelling. The H2Haul project, funded by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, will test 16 hydrogen trucks across Europe, including the IVECO S-eWay Fuel Cell trucks used by BMW. This project is expected to help develop the technology to market maturity and thus pave the way for wider adoption in the road freight sector. Additionally, BMW is leading the HyCET project, which focuses on hydrogen combustion engine trucks as a cost-effective alternative to fuel cells. At BMW's Leipzig plant, over 200 fuel cell-powered vehicles are already in use for intralogistics. BMW plans to launch its first hydrogen-powered production model in 2028, reinforcing its commitment to hydrogen & sustainable mobility solutions.
The UK Government has committed £200m to transform Grangemouth into a low-carbon industrial site. This funding, provided by the UK National Wealth Fund, aims to attract private investment and support the region's transition to sustainable energy. PM Starmer announced the investment, which complements the £100 million Falkirk and Grangemouth Growth Deal, a joint initiative with the Scottish Government. This deal focuses on local energy projects and includes the £1.5m Project Willow, which is exploring green energy and hydrogen potential at the site. The funding is part of broader efforts to decarbonise industrial sites and promote green energy solutions. Unite, general secretary Sharon Graham, welcomed the announcement, emphasising the need for a comprehensive transition plan for workers. The initiative is expected to create new industries and job opportunities, contributing to the UK's net-zero goals.
Scania and DHL Group have jointly developed an electric truck with a fuel-powered generator called the Extended Range Electric Vehicle (EREV). This innovative truck aims to bridge the gap between fully electric and traditional fuel-powered vehicles, addressing current challenges such as insufficient charging infrastructure and high electricity costs during peak times. The EREV can operate on 80-90% renewable electricity, significantly reducing CO2 emissions. The truck will be tested by DHL's Post & Parcel Germany division for parcel transport between Berlin and Hamburg starting in February 2025. The fuel-powered generator replaces one of the battery packs, providing backup energy and extending the vehicle's range to 650-800 kilometres. This hybrid approach allows the truck to be refuelled at conventional petrol stations if needed. DHL emphasised the practicality of this solution, highlighting its potential to make logistics more sustainable in the short term while the industry transitions to fully electric vehicles. The collaboration between Scania and DHL represents a pragmatic step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions in freight transport.
Mercedes-Benz Group AG is embarking on its most ambitious transformation yet, unveiling a comprehensive product and technology launch campaign aimed at strengthening its global position. The strategy includes the introduction of 3 electric-only architectures by 2025, which will underpin all future EVs from the company. This move is part of Mercedes-Benz's broader goal to go all-electric by the end of the decade. The company plans to invest heavily in R&D, focusing on battery technology, software, and sustainable manufacturing processes. Furthermore, Mercedes-Benz aims to enhance its digital capabilities, offering over-the-air updates and advanced driver assistance systems to improve the customer experience. The transformation strategy also emphasises sustainability, with a commitment to achieving carbon neutrality across its entire value chain by 2039. Mercedes-Benz's ambitious plans include expanding its global production network for EVs and increasing collaboration with key suppliers and technology partners. The company is also set to launch a series of high-performance electric models under its AMG brand, showcasing the potential of electric powertrains. This comprehensive approach aims to position Mercedes-Benz as a leader in the rapidly evolving automotive industry.
Midland Bluebird, a subsidiary of McGill’s Group, has announced it is set to introduce 30 Yutong electric buses into its fleet, representing a £14m investment. This move is part of a broader strategy to enhance the fleet, services, and infrastructure since McGill’s Group acquired Midland Bluebird in 2022. The new electric buses will operate across the Forth Valley and into Edinburgh, providing quieter, smoother, and more environmentally friendly journeys. The investment also includes the electrification of the Larbert depot to support the new fleet. The introduction of these electric buses aligns with McGill’s Group’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. McGill’s Group emphasised the company’s dedication to providing the best possible travel experience for passengers. The new electric buses are part of a significant transformation aimed at delivering cleaner, greener, and more comfortable transport for the communities served by Midland Bluebird.
Kellogg’s has announced it has initiated a 3-week trial to produce cereal using hydrogen power, becoming the UK's first food manufacturer to do so. This trial is part of the UK Government’s £55m Industrial Fuel Switching Competition, under the HyNet Industrial Fuel Switching 2 programme. The company aims to replace fossil fuel gas with hydrogen to power the toasting oven used to produce popular brands like Corn Flakes, Bran Flakes, Special K, and Rice Krispies. The trial is a significant step towards decarbonising the food manufacturing industry, showcasing how major manufacturing sites can transition from fossil fuels to low-carbon hydrogen. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable energy sources in industrial processes. If successful, this trial could pave the way for wider adoption of hydrogen power in food production and other industries, contributing to the UK's net-zero goals.
The University of Michigan's Board of Regents has approved a $60m project to expand EV battery research. This initiative will construct a new 25,000-square-foot laboratory at the U-M and upgrade the Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI). The facility will include 3 battery laboratories, auxiliary support areas, a substation, and a battery cell testing facility. Minor renovations within UMTRI and the addition of a new on-site fire hydrant are also part of the project. The new lab aims to accelerate innovation in next-generation battery technologies, strengthen industry partnerships, and develop a highly skilled workforce for the future of electric mobility. Mr Taub, director of the EV Centre, emphasised that this facility will enhance the university's research capacity and provide hands-on education opportunities. The architectural firm, SmithGroup, will design the project, with the construction schedule and schematic design to be approved later. Additionally, the EV Centre will open an 8,000-square-foot off-campus space in April, nearly doubling the current lab's size. This space will feature a pilot line for small-scale battery cell manufacturing and an automated laser welding system for assembling and testing battery modules.
Deals
Spyne, an Indian AI-powered visual merchandising platform for the automotive industry, has raised $16m in a Series A funding round led by Vertex Ventures. Investors such as Accel, Storm Ventures, and Alteria Capital also participated. Spyne initially served multiple industries but shifted its focus entirely to automotive in 2023. The platform enables dealerships to create high-quality images, 360-degree spin videos, and automated marketing videos at a fraction of the cost and time. The newly raised capital will be used to enhance Spyne's AI platform, expand its dealer network (from 1,500 to over c.20,000 locations globally), and establish a dedicated USA business development team. The company aims to grow its presence in international markets, including America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia-Pacific. Spyne's vision is to make digital vehicle showcasing smarter, faster, and more immersive for dealerships worldwide.
Fetii, a group rideshare app designed for young people, has secured $7.35m in a Seed funding round led by Mark Cuban, with participation from Y Combinator and Goodwater Capital. Fetii aims to address the gap in on-demand transportation for groups of 7 to 14 passengers. The app allows users to book large-capacity vehicles, ensuring everyone can travel together, which is both efficient and sustainable. Operating in 68 cities across six states, including Texas, Georgia, and Arizona, Fetii transports over 200,000 passengers monthly. The company plans to use the new funds to expand into additional states/markets such as Florida, California, and Massachusetts. Unlike traditional rideshare services, Fetii partners with vehicle service providers who manage fleets of 15-passenger vans, allowing the company to scale rapidly without owning vehicles. Fetii, currently, focuses on college students and young people, offering a convenient and affordable alternative to splitting multiple cars or booking charter vehicles in advance. The app also features a QR-based payment system that simplifies fare splitting among passengers.
AiDEN Auto, a privacy-first connected vehicle technology company, has closed an oversubscribed $4.2m Seed funding round, bringing its total funding to $6.1m. The round was led by Nuri Venture Partners, with participation from Tengro Ventures, Band of Angels, Mentors Fund, Start Equity Ventures, Conxcity, and Weltham Capital, along with several angel investors. AiDEN Auto focuses on enhancing data privacy while helping OEMs scale in-vehicle service offerings. The company's no-code application framework allows OEMs to offer in-vehicle services at scale, transforming how data is managed and shared within the connected vehicle ecosystem. Unlike traditional models that aggregate consumer data without transparency, AiDEN prioritises consent management, customer control, and transparency. The new funding will be used to accelerate AiDEN's innovation in connected vehicle technology and data privacy. The company aims to empower consumers by giving them control over their data while enabling automakers to deliver personalised, value-added services. This approach sets a new standard for ethical and consumer-centric data sharing in the automotive industry.