Mercedes, Smith Electric Vehicles, A123 Systems, Ballard Power Systems

Small series heavy duty e-truck: Mercedes will bring its all-electric heavy-duty Urban eTruck to market this year. It says it took 20 orders for the 18 – 25 t carrier with a range of up to 200 km. The electric trucks come equipped with refrigerated body, as a dry box body and as a platform vehicle and will be used a year at least. Mercedes hopes to gain insights from real life testing and develop requirements together with the clients.
greencarcongress.com, daimler.com

This e-truck maker is bankrupt however, or has at least ceased operations in the U.S. and UK. Smith Electric Vehicles that belongs to Tanfield Group claims a lack of funding. But the electric truck maker is hopeful to find new funding and would rather speak of a “pause” and not the end.
commercialmotor.com

1bn dollar order: A123 Systems secured a deal to supply the SAIC and GM joint venture in China with the power packs for 48-Volt systems. The contract is worth 1bn dollars, or 2.6m Li-ion batteries.
greencarcongress.com

Ballard in China: To get a hold in the red dragon’s hydrogen market, Ballard Power Systems opened a facility in Guangzhou. The fuel cell specialist goes under the name of Guangzhou Ballard Power Systems in China and will locates its in-country team at the new site.
greencarcongress.com, ballard.com