With a range of up to 400 kilometers, the vehicle will be tested on medium- and long-haul routes through the end of 2026, following the successful completion of initial test drives at IVECO’s private proving grounds in Ulm, Germany.
The truck integrates innovative solutions supported by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe programme and developed in collaboration with project partners into the IVECO electric platform. These solutions include several improvements, such as additional cab insulation and dedicated HMI features to define the most sustainable routes and optimize energy consumption. Moreover, the vehicle has been configured for specialised groupage freight transport within the framework of the project, including a tailored subframe and additional rear cameras to facilitate operations.
Validation of new technology in real logistics operations
The EMPOWER project (Eco-operated, Modular, highly efficient, and flexible multi-POWERtrain for long-haul heavy-duty vehicles) represents a decisive step towards scalable, zero-emission freight transport in Europe. By validating battery-electric heavy-duty vehicle technology in real logistics operations, the project is helping to bridge the gap between advanced vehicle development and broad market deployment. The data collected during the demonstration will support the optimisation of future electric truck platforms and contribute to the wider roll-out of battery-electric vehicles for both regional and long-haul freight applications.
What sets the prototype apart is that it has been specifically developed for zero-emission transport on longer routes using swap bodies rather than semi-trailers. To meet these requirements, it features an extended frame tailored to the operational needs defined in collaboration with Gruber Logistics. In addition, the driver’s cab has been adapted – in synergy with several EMPOWER project partners - to implement the necessary operating and control strategies.
“At IVECO, we are committed to developing zero-emission solutions and EMPOWER has provided the ideal framework to collaborate across the ecosystem for specific and demanding transport missions. Our focus is not only to advance technologies, but also to validate them in real-world conditions—bridging innovation with practical application while enabling early testing, customer feedback and a deeper understanding of system integration, ensuring the highest standards of quality and reliability across every stage of development.” commented Pierpaolo Biffali, Head of Innovation & Advanced Engineering Iveco Group.
Michele De Gennaro, Head of Competence Unit Electric Vehicle Technologies at AIT, states: “The successful deployment of the IVECO battery-electric demonstrator with Gruber Logistics for EMPOWER marks an important step towards scalable zero-emission freight transport in Europe. Building on these operational foundations, we look forward to continuing working together in the European research programme, with the aim to accelerate the large-scale deployment of battery-electric heavy-duty vehicles across European logistics operations.”
“With the IVECO electric truck prototype specifically adapted for the EMPOWER scope, we can test a state-of-the-art vehicle for performance and reliability under real-world logistics operations. To achieve the ambitious climate targets in the logistics sector, such innovative projects are essential for zero-emission road freight transport,” highlights Martin Gruber, CEO of Gruber Logistics. “By deploying the truck on a wide variety of routes and for diverse categories of goods in the groupage and partial load segment, the project will allow us to gather important information for the further development of ZE-HDV trucks”.
Data collection and future roadmap
To this end, the truck is equipped with a data logger that will collect a wide range of information about the vehicle. Key parameters include electricity consumption and the efficiency of the five batteries, which together can deliver an output of 300 kWh powered by the FPT eAxle (480kW). Charging performance will also be closely monitored. All data will be managed from the Gruber Logistics site in Bologna (Italy), where the test vehicle will be charged using a mobile unit. From this location, dispatch operations will also coordinate the deployment of the battery-electric truck across Gruber Logistics’ customer network.
For 2026, the focus of EMPOWER project is on the trial phase of the BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle). A trial of a hydrogen-powered truck (FCEV-Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) is then scheduled for 2027.
IVECO, Gruber Logistics and AIT plan to continue their fruitful collaboration along this path through extended real-condition trials, with the aim of accelerating the transition from individual demonstrators to large-scale, cross-border trials, building on the technological and operational foundations established within EMPOWER, with a defined focus on quality.