Auer/Paderborn – Just recently, Gruber Logistics drove forward the European Commission-funded EMPOWER project (Eco-operated, Modular, highly efficient, and flexible multi-POWERtrain for long-haul heavy-duty vehicles): on July 9 and 10, the logistics company successfully transported the ZERO-emission vehicle cabin from the IVECO manufactory in Ulm to the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT) based in Vienna. Gruber Logistics is also responsible for the six-month operational project phase of two zero-emission heavy-duty vehicle prototypes scheduled for 2026. The aim is to advance the development of flexible, modular and scalable drive solutions in the heavy-duty sector.
The project is funded by the European Commission’s Horizon Europe framework program via the 2Zero partnership. Coordinated by AIT, the consortium of Gruber Logistics and 13 other experienced partners from industry, logistics and research is developing two flexible, modular and scalable zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles (ZE HDV). One 100 percent battery-electric vehicle with a range of 400 kilometres is intended for regional deliveries, while the other truck, a hybrid model powered by fuel cells and batteries, will be utilized for long-haul distances with a range of 750 kilometres.
Gruber Logistics is responsible for the operational testing of the lorries in daily use, which will take place on European roads along the international corridors between Italy, Germany and France for a period of six months from 2026.
“The insights we are gaining from this project regarding the technology used and for designing the new prototypes in collaboration with IVECO are a crucial step for the future use of zero-emission heavy goods vehicles. Indeed, the reliability, usability and cost-effectiveness of these sustainable solutions need to be demonstrated in practice,” explains Ettore Gualandi, Specialist Innovation & Project at Gruber Logistics.
Before Gruber Logistics starts the test phase with the prototypes, AIT will first analyse and prepare IVECO’s truck cabin that was just delivered in Vienna for the later development of the planned technology and its use. Among other things, innovative heating systems, thermal insulation and the necessary operating and control strategies can be implemented. A comparison between the battery-electric version and the fuel-cell powered truck during the operational test phase, for example in terms of their energy consumption and range, will later provide valuable insights for the further development of the prototypes.
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