Christian Sulser from Iveco: How the manufacturer is getting ready for its electric push

Iveco is making waves with the debut of its S-eWay electric vehicle, a significant step towards electrifying long-haul transport. Reflecting on the journey with partner Nikola, Christian Sulser noted, “We learned a lot from the cooperation… and now we delivered.” The S-eWay, which boasts a 750 kWh battery and a 500-kilometre range, is designed to cater to various customer needs, from regional and national logistics to more specialised applications like refrigerated transport.

Sulser emphasised that electrifying heavy-duty vehicles presents unique challenges. “It’s not easy to electrify a long-haul vehicle,” he said, but the S-eWay’s flexibility aims to meet the diverse demands of the market.

Fast charging and future innovations

The S-eWay is not Iveco’s only venture into electrification. At the show, the company also highlighted a collaboration with Hyundai to develop a 3.5-tonne electric chassis cab for urban logistics. Sulser described the vehicle’s capabilities as “class-leading,” with a range of up to 300 kilometres and rapid charging, reaching 80% in under 10 minutes.

Despite these advancements, Sulser acknowledged the challenges ahead. “We have a lot of issues with the infrastructures on the highways,” he admitted, indicating that infrastructure development is crucial for wider adoption.

A multi-propulsion approach

While committed to electrification, Iveco is not limiting itself to electric vehicles. “We are really strong in gas, H2 hydrogen, and methane,” Sulser explained, outlining a multi-propulsion strategy. He suggested that while electric solutions are gaining traction for smaller segments, heavy-duty trucks may still require alternative fuels like biofuels or hydrogen.

Looking ahead, Iveco plans to continue expanding its electric and hybrid offerings, with deliveries of the SE-Way starting in mid-2024. As Sulser stated, “We need to get kilometres on the streets and get customer feedback.” Whether this bold strategy will steer Iveco through a smooth transition or another “roller coaster” remains to be seen.