The Empower project – a multi-company scheme to develop flexible, green powertrains for heavy-duty trucks – continues to progress.
The project is funded by the European Commission’s Horizon Europe framework program via the 2Zero partnership. Coordinated by the Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT), the consortium comprises Gruber Logistics and 13 other experienced partners from industry, logistics and research. Together, they are developing two flexible, modular and scalable zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles: a 100 percent battery-electric vehicle with a range of 400 km intended for regional deliveries, as well as a hybrid model powered by fuel cells and batteries that has a 750 km range.
On July 9 and 10, Gruber transported the vehicle cabin from the Iveco manufacturing plant in Ulm, Germany to the AIT facilities in Vienna. Gruber will also be responsible for the operational testing of the lorries, which will take place between Italy, Germany and France for a six month period in 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,” explained Ettore Gualandi, specialist innovation and project at Gruber Logistics
Before Gruber can start testing the prototypes, AIT will first analyse and prepare the truck cabin. Among other things, 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 should provide valuable insights for the further development of the prototypes.
