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What Will Happen in Hino, Mitsubishi Fuso Merger?
Akihiro Komuro Hino Motors and Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation have reached a final agreement to merge their operations in April 2026, but what will this mean? A basic agreement was initially reached in 2023, but the decision was delayed due to irregularities in Hino’s engine performance certifications. The merger will finally move forward following Hino’s settlement with U.S. authorities.
The commercial vehicle industry has undergone rapid changes over the past two years of stalled negotiations, so both companies will need to quickly demonstrate the benefits of the merger to make up for lost time. The biggest change is the tightening of environmental regulations.
In May 2024, the European Union (EU) strengthened CO₂ emission regulations for large trucks. By 2030, emissions must be reduced by 45% compared to 2019 levels. This is an increase from the previous target of 30%. By 2040, emissions must be reduced by 90%, a very strict requirement.
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Sodium Batteries: Another Sign EVs Here To Stay
Guy Youngs The rising demand for zero-emission mobility goes beyond the nice idea of preventing a catastrophic climate crisis. EVs are a better fit for the connected, electrified lifestyle of the 21st century; they offer more opportunities for convenience, they are more useful for weathering power outages and climate-connected emergencies, and they are more adaptable to the needs of fleet managers, among other advantages.
However, while some researchers note that “salt batteries” are not quite ready for prime time, other stakeholders — including industry leader CATL — are already laying plans for mass production. Last month, CATL also burned up the Internet when it announced a suite of two sodium-ion batteries ready for full volume production by the end of this year.
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Will Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trucks Follow Car Storyline?
Guy Youngs In the last decade or so, the market apparently has decided that hydrogen-powered cars do not make sense, and they can’t compete in the market as a result. Despite this situation, there are still plenty of discussions, trials, and vehicle development programs for hydrogen-powered trucks.
In theory, hydrogen can compete in the truck market, but in practice, it’s an entirely different matter. Battery technology keeps improving rapidly, and solutions for battery-electric trucks are becoming clear. If battery costs keep coming down — as expected — and proper charging hubs for heavy-duty electric vehicles get developed, battery-electric trucks seem set to win the day.
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