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Volvo Trucks’ Unveils Alternative-Fuel Engine
Emiliano Marzoli Volvo Trucks has unveiled a multi-billion SEK investment of an entirely new 13-liter combustion engine platform. Engineered to meet Europe’s strictest efficiency mandates, these engines are the most fuel-efficient ever produced by the OEM, delivering immediate reductions in CO2 emissions.
Crucially, the platform is built with a “fuel-agnostic” architecture; the base engine is ready to run on renewable diesel (HVO) and bio-gas, and is structurally designed to accommodate future hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2ICE) applications. This platform rollout complements Volvo’s existing battery-electric and fuel-cell programs, cementing their “three-path” strategy toward net-zero emissions by 2040 while continuing to secure top-tier safety marks, including recent five-star Euro NCAP ratings for its regional distribution trucks.
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Volvo Moves into Big Electric Equipment
Emiliano Marzoli Volvo Construction Equipment has officially transitioned the A30 Electric and A40 Electric articulated haulers into serial production at its Braås site in Sweden. Originally unveiled as prototypes at bauma 2025, these machines represent the largest electric articulated haulers currently available on the global market, boasting payloads of 29 and 39 tons, respectively.
Designed for high-utilization environments like large-scale infrastructure projects and mining, the haulers offer up to six hours of operation on a single charge, depending on the application. The first production units are scheduled for delivery to customers in the United Kingdom and Norway this month.
This move solidifies Volvo’s commitment to lead the heavy-duty transition, moving beyond compact machines into the most energy-intensive segments of the construction industry.
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EU Legislation Boosts EU Manufacturing
Emiliano Marzoli On March 4, 2026, the European Commission unveiled the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), a cornerstone of the “Clean Industrial Deal” aimed at reclaiming Europe’s manufacturing prowess. The Act sets a bold target to increase manufacturing’s share of EU GDP to 20% by 2035.
To achieve this, it introduces strict “Union origin” (Made in EU) and low-carbon requirements for public procurement and subsidy schemes. For the automotive and heavy machinery sectors, the Act is particularly transformative: starting in 2029, public tenders for electric vehicles (EVs) will require that at least 70% of the vehicle’s non-battery value originates from within the EU, with final assembly and significant battery production also taking place on European soil.
Additionally, the Act creates “Industrial Acceleration Areas” to provide a digital “one-stop-shop” for permitting, drastically reducing the bureaucratic delays that have historically hampered the expansion of European factory sites.
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EU-US Trade Deal Threatens European Production
Emiliano Marzoli The EU-US trade agreement is facing intense criticism from European policymakers and industry leaders who deem it unbalanced, unfair, and a “significant policy mistake.” The persistence of high US tariffs and mounting non-tariff barriers are severely hurting Europe’s export-oriented industrial sector. Experts warn the deal has cornered the EU, increasing its dependency on critical raw materials and semiconductors.
Specifically, US Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminium derivatives are crippling the machinery sector with complex compliance rules. Failure to comply can trigger punitive tariffs up to 200%, prompting some firms to halt US exports entirely and leading to a sharp drop in sales (e.g., German machinery exports have fallen 18.5%). EU lawmakers are now pushing for amendments, including sunset clauses and safeguards, amid concerns that the current framework is unsustainable.
Source: Euractiv Read The Article
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Agritechnica 2025: The Rise of Smart, Hybrid Efficiency
Emiliano Marzoli The Agritechnica 2025 trade show, held under the guiding theme “Touch Smart Efficiency,” cemented the industry’s focus on integrating digital intelligence with advanced hardware to achieve higher yields while ensuring environmental and economic sustainability. The primary trend was the transition of alternative power and robotics from concepts into commercially available, high-performance machinery.
The 2025 show was bigger than the previous show in 2023–there were more attendees (476,000 vs. 470,000) and exhibitors (2849 vs 2812) and more countries represented (171 vs. 149). The total space for the two shows was the same–394,000 sq in 24 halls at the Hanover Exhibition Center in Hanover, Germany. The bi-annual show ran Nov. 9-15.
Key New Models and Technology Unveiled
Manufacturers focused heavily on hybridization, automation, and engine efficiency: -
50% Tariff Turns European Machinery into Gold
Emiliano Marzoli In recent weeks, the US has expanded its 50% tariff on steel and aluminum to over 400 derivative products, creating a new, complex trade landscape with the EU. This goes beyond raw materials and now includes a wide array of manufactured goods. The EU has a new deal with the US, which introduces a 15% tariff ceiling on a large portion of European exports, including strategic sectors like vehicles. However, the 50% metal tariffs override this, a development that has caused alarm in Europe’s industrial sectors. The deal is a “first step,” with both sides still working out details, but the high metal tariffs remain a source of significant uncertainty and a point of contention.
Sources: Read This Article Read This Article
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US-EU Tariff Talks Reach Tentative Agreement
Emiliano Marzoli The United States and the European Union have reached a tentative trade agreement to avert a full-blown trade war as an Aug. 1, 2025, deadline for new US tariffs approaches. US President Donald Trump has indicated a new baseline tariff rate of 15% for most countries, pushing for reciprocal agreements.
This follows a similar deal with Japan, which saw a reduction from a threatened 25% to 15%. While discussions with the EU are ongoing, with both sides expressing optimism for a negotiated outcome, the EU has approved a retaliatory tariff package of up to 30% on €93 billion worth of US goods, to be activated if no agreement is reached. EU countries overwhelmingly supported these countermeasures, which would impact a wide range of US products from soybeans to aircraft.
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