Photo: EMPOWER (c) LeadTech Srl_Alessandro Liccardo
The transformation of road freight transport continues to accelerate. As part of the European EMPOWER research project, Gruber Logistics, IVECO and the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology are launching a six-month test phase in June 2026 with a battery-electric heavy-duty truck prototype. The objective is to gather valuable real-world operational data and support the large-scale deployment of zero-emission commercial vehicles across Europe.
Based on the production chassis of the IVECO S-eWay, the prototype will be operated by Gruber Logistics in northeastern Italy within its Less Than Truckload (LTL) division. The vehicle will be used for both consolidated freight and partial-load transport, demonstrating its capabilities under demanding logistics conditions. With a range of up to 400 kilometers, the truck will be tested on regional and longer-distance routes through the end of 2026. Initial trials at IVECO’s proving grounds in Ulm, Germany, have already been successfully completed.
The demonstrator incorporates several innovative solutions developed within the European Commission-funded Horizon Europe project EMPOWER. These include enhanced cab insulation, advanced Human-Machine Interface (HMI) functions for planning energy-efficient routes, and optimized energy consumption management. Additional modifications tailored specifically for LTL logistics operations include a custom auxiliary frame and rear-view camera systems that simplify daily transport tasks.
A particularly noteworthy feature is that the vehicle has been developed specifically for zero-emission long-haul transport using swap bodies rather than traditional semi-trailers. To meet operational requirements defined jointly with Gruber Logistics, the truck’s chassis was extended and adapted accordingly. The cab was also further developed in cooperation with multiple EMPOWER project partners to support new operational and control strategies.
EMPOWER—short for Eco-operated, Modular, highly efficient, and flexible multi-POWERtrain for long-haul heavy-duty vehicles—aims to accelerate the scalable introduction of zero-emission freight transport across Europe.
By validating battery-electric heavy-duty vehicles in real logistics operations, the project seeks to bridge the gap between technological development and widespread market adoption. Data collected during the testing phase will help optimize future electric truck platforms and further expand the use of battery-electric vehicles in both regional and long-haul transport applications.
Pierpaolo Biffali, Head of Innovation & Advanced Engineering at the Iveco Group, commented:
“At IVECO, we are fully committed to developing zero-emission solutions. EMPOWER provides the ideal framework to collaborate with partners across the ecosystem on concrete and challenging transport applications. Our focus is not only on advancing technologies but also on validating them under real-world conditions.”
Michele De Gennaro, Head of the Competence Unit Electric Vehicle Technologies at AIT, added:
“The successful deployment of the battery-electric IVECO demonstrator with Gruber Logistics within EMPOWER represents an important step toward scalable zero-emission freight transport in Europe.”
For the pilot phase, the truck has been equipped with an advanced data logging system that records detailed operational information, including energy consumption, battery efficiency, and charging behavior. The vehicle features five battery packs with a combined capacity of 300 kWh and is powered by an FPT eAxle delivering 480 kW of output, integrating the motor, transmission, and power electronics into a single compact system.
Martin Gruber, CEO of Gruber Logistics, emphasized the project’s significance:
“To achieve the ambitious climate targets of the logistics sector, innovative projects such as this are essential for advancing zero-emission road freight transport. Operating the vehicle on different routes and across various cargo segments will provide valuable insights for the further development of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles.”
While the focus in 2026 is on validating the battery-electric truck, the next phase of EMPOWER is already planned. In 2027, a hydrogen-powered fuel-cell truck demonstrator will enter testing. Looking ahead, IVECO, Gruber Logistics, and AIT intend to expand their cooperation and accelerate the transition from individual demonstrator vehicles to large-scale cross-border pilot operations throughout Europe.
The EMPOWER project demonstrates how research organizations, technology providers, and logistics companies can work together to accelerate the future of sustainable freight transport. Pilot projects, demonstrators, and real-world innovation programs like EMPOWER are exactly the type of entries that belong in the eMove360° Award 2026.
Companies, research institutions, start-ups, and project consortia are invited to submit their innovations in categories such as Battery & Powertrain, Charging & Energy, Electric Vehicle, and Automated Driving & AI.
📅 Apply now for the eMove360° Award 2026
🏆 10th International Award for Electric & Autonomous Mobility
🌐 https://www.emove360.com/awards/emove360/
Your project could soon join an outstanding winners’ community that already includes innovators such as Farasis Energy, Kia, Volvo Trucks, and Stadtwerke München.
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