Sean Gallup, Getty Images
Industryweek 25028 101117 Vw Logos Seangallup2
Industryweek 25028 101117 Vw Logos Seangallup2
Industryweek 25028 101117 Vw Logos Seangallup2
Industryweek 25028 101117 Vw Logos Seangallup2
Industryweek 25028 101117 Vw Logos Seangallup2

VW to Roll Out Electric Trucks, Buses in $1.7 Billion Project

Oct. 11, 2017
Electric trucks for local deliveries will probably exceed a 5% market share by 2025, according to the head of the VW Truck & Bus division. That compares to a forecast of about 25% for battery-powered cars.

Volkswagen AG is flanking its push into electric cars with plans to roll out battery-powered commercial vehicles targeted at urban areas as growing public concerns about air quality boost demand.

The Volkswagen Truck & Bus division will invest 1.4 billion euros ($1.66 billion) in new technology including electric drivetrains, autonomous systems and cloud-based software, Andreas Renschler, head of the unit, said Wednesday in an interview in Hamburg. The German company’s U.S. affiliate Navistar International Corp. will adopt some of the systems, while the carmaker’s MAN and Scania nameplates will both deliver wholly electric buses next year to European cities, adding to bio-diesel, hybrid systems and natural-gas line-ups.

“We believe in a wide range of alternative powertrains and fuels, depending on local availability, social and local demand and customer requirements,” Renschler said at a press event. “Therefore it is crucial that policy makers adopt a technology-neutral approach” in any regulations.

Electric trucks for local deliveries will probably exceed a 5% market share by 2025, according to Renschler. That compares to a forecast of about 25% for battery-powered cars. Commercial-vehicle manufacturers have been slow to develop electric models as loads are heavier and they serve a wider range of industries.

Regulatory Differences

Complicating matters is that trucks already vary significantly across the globe because of differences in regulations, making it difficult to build vehicles in large enough volumes to generate economies of scale. While in the aftermath of Volkswagen’s emissions-cheating scandal, some municipalities are looking at banning diesel engines to reduce air pollution.

German competitor Daimler AG, the world’s largest commercial-vehicle producer and Renschler’s former employer, has stepped up development of engines including fully electric and hybrid versions, as well as digital services to defend its lead. Volkswagen is also facing new rivals such as Tesla Inc., which is unveiling a battery-powered semi truck on Nov. 16.

Better battery technology will be key to making electric trucks more attractive by lowering operation costs, Renschler said. In addition to higher prices for the systems and recharging challenges, the power packs “are heavy and room-stealing,” reducing the capacity for carrying loads, Renschler said.

“With city buses, we are just hitting the break-even point compared to conventional solutions,” Renschler said. “Electric distribution trucks are expected to turn positive in 2020-25,” while battery-powered long-haul heavy vehicles will be “late” in turning a profit for their owners.

Autonomous Technology

VW Truck & Bus’s autonomous-driving technology is focused on closed environments, like snow plows at airports or transport shuttles on set routes in parking lots or factories. VW plans to be ready for commercial production of the models within two years. Engineers are already working with customers to refine technology and gain experience.

“The autonomous Scania mining truck standing outside of this building is ready to be shipped to the first customer overseas after this event,” Renschler said. “This truck is not a vision. It’s real stuff, here and now.”

Success with those models, as well as services including new software to efficiently manage cargo, will determine whether VW’s push to forge a global truckmaking powerhouse with an operating return on sales averaging 9% will gain traction. Renschler said VW is keeping all options open to expand the business, including a possible share sale. He’s also looking at increasing the 25% stake in China’s Sinotruk Hong Kong Ltd. that MAN holds as well as widening cooperation with GAZ PJSC in Russia and Navistar in the U.S., where Daimler’s Freightliner brand is the market leader.

By Christoph Rauwald

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

Empowering the Modern Workforce: The Power of Connected Worker Technologies

March 1, 2024
Explore real-world strategies to boost worker safety, collaboration, training, and productivity in manufacturing. Emphasizing Industry 4.0, we'll discuss digitalization and automation...

3 Best Practices to Create a Product-Centric Competitive Advantage with PRO.FILE PLM

Jan. 25, 2024
Gain insight on best practices and strategies you need to accelerate engineering change management and reduce time to market. Register now for your opportunity to accelerate your...

Transformative Capabilities for XaaS Models in Manufacturing

Feb. 14, 2024
The manufacturing sector is undergoing a pivotal shift toward "servitization," or enhancing product offerings with services and embracing a subscription model. This transition...

Shifting Your Business from Products to Service-Based Business Models: Generating Predictable Revenues

Oct. 27, 2023
Executive summary on a recent IndustryWeek-hosted webinar sponsored by SAP

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!