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In mid-June 2026, a six-month testing phase will begin as part of the European research project EMPOWER, featuring a battery-electric truck prototype from IVECO. This prototype, based on the IVECO S-eWay series chassis, will be deployed in collaboration with the logistics company Gruber Logistics in northeastern Italy. The test operation will focus on the LTL (Less Than Truckload) division of Gruber Logistics and will include both groupage and partial load transports.
Test Operation and Range
The truck will be tested with a range of up to 400 km for medium and long distances by the end of 2026. Initial test drives have already taken place at the private IVECO test site in Ulm. The prototype integrates several solutions developed under the EMPOWER project, which is funded by the European Commission. These include improved cabin insulation and features of the Human-Machine Interface (HMI) that enable sustainable route planning and optimization of energy consumption. Additionally, the vehicle has been specifically adapted for groupage transport, which includes a customized support frame and additional rear cameras.
Goals of the EMPOWER Project
The EMPOWER project stands for Eco-operated, Modular, highly efficient, and flexible multi-POWERtrain for long-haul heavy-duty vehicles. Its aim is to promote the introduction of emission-free freight transport in Europe. By testing battery-electric heavy-duty vehicles in real logistics operations, the project seeks to bridge the gap between technological development and market introduction. The data collected during the testing phase will help optimize future electric truck platforms and support the deployment of battery-electric vehicles in both regional and long-distance transport.
A unique feature of the prototype is its design for emission-free transport over longer distances with swap bodies, rather than for traditional use with semi-trailers. The vehicle’s frame has been extended and adapted to the operational requirements of Gruber Logistics. The cabin has also been further developed in collaboration with several project partners to implement the necessary operational and control strategies.
Validation Under Real Conditions
Pierpaolo Biffali, Head of Innovation & Advanced Engineering at the Iveco Group, emphasizes the importance of the project: “At IVECO, we are consistently committed to developing emission-free solutions. EMPOWER provides the ideal framework to work with partners on concrete transport applications. Our focus is on validating technologies under real conditions and enabling early tests and customer feedback.”
Michele De Gennaro, Head of Competence Unit Electric Vehicle Technologies at AIT, highlights: “The successful deployment of the battery-electric IVECO demonstrator with Gruber Logistics as part of EMPOWER is an important step towards scalable, emission-free freight transport in Europe.”
Martin Gruber, CEO of Gruber Logistics, adds: “With the electric IVECO truck prototype specifically adapted for EMPOWER use, we can test a state-of-the-art vehicle under real logistics conditions. Such innovative projects are essential for emission-free road freight transport.”
Data Collection and Future Steps
For the testing phase, the truck is equipped with a data logger that captures comprehensive information on vehicle operation, including power consumption, battery efficiency, and charging behavior. The batteries have a total capacity of 300 kWh and are supported by an electric drive axle (FPT eAxle) with 480 kW.
The collected data will be managed at the Gruber Logistics site in Bologna, Italy. There, the test vehicle will be charged via a mobile charging unit. The dispatching team coordinates the deployment of the battery-electric truck within Gruber Logistics‘ customer network.
In 2026, the focus of the EMPOWER project will be on the testing phase of the battery-electric vehicle. Testing of a hydrogen-powered truck with fuel cell technology is planned for 2027. IVECO, Gruber Logistics, and AIT aim to continue their collaboration to accelerate the development of demonstration vehicles into large-scale, cross-border practical tests.
