YUNEV Commercial Vehicle E-Mobility Weekly Global Headline Roundup
Toyota deploys H2 trucks in EU; PowerCell grows H2FC partnership with Bosch; MAN starts series production of e-trucks; Next gen KW T680E gets Bendix ADAS; Ford v. GM battery tech battle intensifies...
Week of June 15, 2025
Increasingly, it seems, commercial vehicle OEMs and industrial/construction equipment builders are looking to H2 as a range extender for BEVs. Do these projects and investments reflect a fundamental gap in BEV applicability for some use-cases? Or, does it reflect a growing capability for H2 to play a role in the Messy Middle? Or, a shift in policy support...or simply the next shiny object? Something else? Whatever the reason, this week's headlines demonstrate continued activity around the use of H2 to support ZEV deployments. Meanwhile, legacy OEMs continue to release new and next-gen BEV platforms with a preference for LFP chemistry in some cases. Nissan targets 2028 for its SSB debut. And ICYMI - the latest update with financial fallout on the recent sinking of the burning cargo ship, Morning Midas, can be found here. Enjoy the read and weekend.
Global Headline Roundup
Toyota and VDL deploy H2 fuel cell trucks in Europe (Source)
PowerCell expands Bosch partnership for fuel cells in China (Source)
Next gen Kenworth T680E e-truck now available with Bendix ADAS (Source)
MAN begins mass production of MHD e-truck product line (Source)
Volvo Group & Daimler Truck partner to launch Coretura SDV JV (Source)
Scania announces electric trucks with MCS port for 2026 (Source)
GM, Ford battery tech battle intensifies in Michigan (Source)
CARB awards $500M in funding for 1,000 electric school buses (Source)
GOP tax bill to cancel orders and sell off USPS’s brand-new EVs (Source)
Toyota, Hyundai step back from ultra-long-EV-range PHEVs (Source)
In Other News
Iveco to fit the S-eWay e-truck with LFP batteries from 2026 (Source)
Scania to save Northvolt’s R&D facility in Sweden (Source)
BYD launches B13.b Low Entry intercity bus at UITP Summit (Source)
Belgian De Lijn orders 290 e-buses from BYD, Iveco Bus, VDL (Source)
India-based JBM Group to offer e-buses in European markets (Source)
260 ton hydrogen mining truck showcased at FCVC 2025 (Source)
Nissan confirms first EV with SSB still on track for 2028 launch (Source)
📈 Last Week’s Top Story
Mexico-bound cargo ship carried burning EVs
The article from YUNEV’s June 13 Commercial Vehicle eMobility Weekly Report that received the greatest number of Likes, Opens, Clicks, and Shares online was entitled: Mexico-bound cargo ship carrying EVs caught fire.
It's easy to understand how images of an abandoned cargo ship carrying EVs with smoke billowing out would catch plenty of attention online. At the same time, we find it remarkable how few details have actually been reported about the vehicles on-board, their battery chemistry, battery suppliers, and specific models involved in the fire. This demonstrates just how tightly information can be controlled and perhaps suppressed, even in today's full-access 24/7 news cycle. The ship was reportedly transporting 3,048 vehicles from multiple Chinese automakers such as CHERY and Great Wall Motor Co., Ltd., including approximately 750 EVs and hybrids. According to sources, Great Wall Motor had about 140 cars on board, none of which were battery EVs, and none were located on the deck where the fire started. The ship was chartered by Anji Logistics, a subsidiary of SAIC Motor. YUNEV sources tell us SAIC GM Wuling Automobile Co., Ltd. may have also had vehicles onboard.
The fire occurred while the ship was en route to Mexico, a growing market for Chinese EV exports, disrupting a significant shipment within the trans-Pacific supply chain. Salvage efforts led by Resolve Marine began on June 9, supported by the US Coast Guard.
The incident highlights potential vulnerabilities in the EV supply chain, including risks related to maritime transport of large volumes of battery-powered vehicles.
Here are the key details on this recent Top Story:
6/4 A ship carrying cars from several Chinese automakers to Mexico was abandoned in the middle of the Pacific Ocean after catching fire.
The vessel, Morning Midas, was transporting 3,048 vehicles from Chinese automakers including Chery Automobile Co. and Great Wall Motor Co. to Mexico, but it's still unclear which brand's electric vehicle caused the fire.
Smoke was first seen coming from a deck of the vessel, which was carrying EVs and hybrids, according to the US Coast Guard.
🔦 Below the Radar
About:Energy completes testing of 500 commercial battery cells
The least-engaged article from YUNEV’s June 13 Commercial Vehicle E-Mobility Weekly Report focused on the About:Energy completes testing of 500 commercial cells. By contrast, the article of greatest online interest received almost twice as much engagement online during the same reporting period.
While the article on About:Energy's recent milestone may not have made major waves online, it details the company’s expansion of its Voltt database to include over 30 commercial battery cells from established cell manufacturers. About:Energy has tested over 500 cells at its London facility through 12-month degradation programs to support its simulation models, using in-house data collection rather than relying on manufacturer specifications.
This approach enables About:Energy to provide clients with independent, 3rd party battery cell performance data to help designers and sourcing professionals make more informed and data-driven engineering and business decisions. The platform supports customers in space, defense, aviation, automotive, and motorsport as they assess cell selection, thermal management, and charging strategies during early-stage development.
Here are the key details to the story:
6/4 About:Energy has tested over 500 commercial cells at its London facility, conducting 12-month degradation programs to support its simulation models.
The Voltt database now includes over 30 battery cells from manufacturers like LG Energy Solution, Samsung SDI, E-One Moli Energy, Amprius Technologies, Inc. and InoBat, helping customers evaluate cell selection, thermal management, and charging during early design.
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