One of the important events of the automotive industry, the International Commercial Vehicle and Sub-Industry Fair (IAA Transportation) opened its doors in Hannover, Germany.
The Turkish automotive industry made a real effort to the fair, which was organized with the aim of introducing the latest innovations in the field of heavy commercial vehicles and urban transportation solutions to the world.
Domestic production companies such as Mercedes-Benz Türk, Anadolu Isuzu, Ford Trucks, Karsan, Temsa, Güleryüz and Man exhibited their vehicles to the participants.
At the fair, where there was a wide participation, we determined that the electric vehicle transformation initiated by the automotive industry on the passenger vehicle side was increasingly reflected on the commercial vehicle side.
So much so that all of the world premiere commercial vehicles have either battery or hydrogen fuel cell technology.
WITH A SINGLE CHARGE, 500 KILOMERS WILL GO
If we take a closer look at the models introduced at the event, the eActros LongHaul model introduced at the stand of Daimler Trucks, one of the German manufacturers, which is the host of the fair, revealed the future vision of the German brand.
The commercial vehicle, which offers a range of 500 kilometers on a single charge, revealed that trucks do not look for passenger vehicles in terms of range.
The vehicle, which will hit the road in 2024, can fill its battery by 80 percent in 30 minutes. According to the statement, there are 3 battery packs with a total capacity of 600 kWh in the electric commercial vehicle with a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery.
The two electric motors in the vehicle produce a total of 400 kW of power. It should also be noted that the vehicle will be produced in such a way that it can maintain the durability of the first day for 1.2 million kilometers.
“We are constantly expanding our battery electric truck portfolio. Our focus is on providing our customers with clear advantages. That’s why our electric trucks are specifically designed for e-mobility,” said Karin Rådström, CEO of Mercedes-Benz Trucks.
While most of the other models at the Daimler Truck stand were electric vehicles, the Actros L model produced in Mercedes-Benz Türk factories was presented to the taste of the participants. The limited production Edition 3 version of the Actros L will also be introduced at the event.
The German manufacturer, which exhibited many of its trucks, including the eEconic 300, eActros 300 and Mercedes-Benz GenH2 models, made the world premiere of the new generation Setra ComfortClass and TopClass, as well as the eCitaro with the new NMC 3 battery on the bus side.
EXHIBITIONS THE FIRST LOCAL ELECTRIC COMMERCIAL VEHICLE
Ford Otosan, one of the brands that made a strong participation in the fair, introduced the first 100 percent electric heavy commercial vehicle developed and produced in Turkey at the event.
According to the information given, Ford Trucks’ 100% electric new generation truck offers lower monthly energy consumption costs when compared to vehicles with internal combustion engines. In addition, since the number of moving and maintenance parts is much less in electric vehicles, maintenance costs are expected to decrease by 2/3.
At the same time, it was noted that with the incentives in effect in European countries, the cost of ownership will decrease, and even if these incentives are not taken into account, Ford Trucks’ electric truck will offer a lower total cost of ownership compared to diesel vehicles in a 4-year period.
Making statements at the fair, Ford Otosan General Manager Güven Özyurt stated that by purchasing Ford Craiova factory in Romania in July, they expanded the company’s production operations to include passenger cars. Emphasizing that they will continue their electrification journey in Turkey in Romania as well, Özyurt said, “Today, we are proud of breaking new ground again with our 100 percent electric truck and presenting our innovative technologies to you.”
Ford Trucks Deputy General Manager Serhan Turfan stated that they are currently in 43 countries and they plan to reach 50 countries in 2024.
Turfan said, “We are moving towards the transformation that includes zero-emission, connected and autonomous technologies that we started under the name of Generation F. In 2030, we aim to make half of our sales in Europe from zero-emission vehicles.
Ford Trucks also introduced technologies such as “Level 4 Highway Pilot” and “Autonomous Reverse Parking” to the participants at the fair.
ELECTRIC MICRO-COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INTRODUCED
Anadolu Isuzu, one of the domestic manufacturers participating in the fair, also exhibited its environmentalist models at the fair. Promoting its electric micro-commercial vehicle Big·e, the brand also launched the new 12-meter CitiVOLT bus model.
At Anadolu Isuzu booth, the fully electric NovoCiti VOLT, 100% biogas compatible Kendo 13 CNG and Isuzu Grand Toro models in the urban transportation segment were shown to the participants.
Big·e, which will be on sale from 2024 and with a carrying capacity of up to 1000 kg, will offer a range of up to 150 kilometers with three different battery capacities, and will initially be offered in two different versions with maximum speeds of 60 km/h and 80 km/h. It was noted that it can be charged to a full charge in 3 to 5 hours via a standard socket.
Anadolu Isuzu General Manager Tuğrul Arıkan said at the meeting held at the fair, “Big e, which we have developed in accordance with the needs of large cities and businesses in many business lines, stands out with its ideal dimensions that meet business needs, both its power and its practical features. I believe that Big e, which we will begin to see, will be loved very much in our country and in the cities of the world.”
HYDROGEN FUEL ERA STARTED ON THE BUS
Karsan, one of the domestic manufacturers participating in the IAA Transportation Fair held in Hannover, Germany, added the hydrogen fueled e-ATA Hydrogen to its electric and autonomous product family.
The low-floor 12-meter e-ATA Hydrogen, whose world launch was held in Germany, has a 1.560-liter lightweight composite hydrogen tank positioned on the ceiling.
The vehicle, which can reach a range of over 500 km, uses a 70 kW fuel cell. In addition, the long-lasting 30 kWh LTO battery, which is positioned as an auxiliary power source in the vehicle, provides more power to the electric motor in difficult road conditions and offers additional range for emergencies. The power of the vehicle is 250 kW and the torque value is announced as 22 thousand Nm.
According to the information given, the 12-meter e-ATA Hydrogen, which can be filled with hydrogen in less than 7 minutes, can serve all day without the need for refilling.
Karsan CEO Okan Baş said, “Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles are a very new technology in public transportation. We estimate that it will dominate 15 percent of the market and will exceed 2,000 units per year,” he said.
Noting that they are on the road all over Europe, including France, Romania, Portugal and Germany, with more than 400 electric vehicles, Baş said, “We will grow even more in both European and North American markets with our Karsan electric vehicles in the near future.”
EUROPEAN SHOWS THE FIRST ELECTRIC INTERCITY BUS
Temsa, one of the domestic manufacturers, also launched its new electric vehicle model, LD SB E.
It was noted that the company, which increased the number of vehicles in its electric product range to 5 with the LD SB E, which is the first electric intercity bus produced by a European company, aims to increase the share of electric vehicles in total production to 50 percent in the next 3 years.
According to the statement, the vehicle, which is offered to consumers in two different options as 12 or 13 meters, has a passenger capacity of 63 people.
The bus, which has an electric motor with a power of 250 kW, offers 3 different battery capacity options as 210, 280 and 350 kWh. It was recorded that the range of LD SB E could reach 350 kilometers.