Volvo Trucks has introduced its latest Road Train solution in India, featuring the FM 420 model optimised for high-efficiency and long-haul transportation. 

The Volvo FM 420 comes equipped with a 13-litre engine delivering 420 horsepower and 2100 Nm of torque. The truck features advanced technology, including the I-Shift 12-speed automated manual transmission, which automatically selects optimal gearing for both power and fuel economy.

The new Road Train configuration offers approximately 50 per cent higher volume capacity compared to standard 18.75m tractor-trailer combinations. This increased capacity contributes to greater productivity through more cargo with a single tractor while reducing operational costs related to drivers and maintenance. Despite consuming marginally more fuel, the significantly higher load capacity results in better overall efficiency, with two Road Trains able to do the work of three conventional tractor-trailers, leading to reduced traffic and lower emissions.

In his speech, Minister Nitin Gadkari highlighted the critical challenge of high logistics costs facing the Indian economy. Speaking at an event showcasing new transport technology, Gadkari noted that while logistics costs in China stand at 8 per cent and in the USA and Europe at around 12 per cent, India's logistics costs remain stubbornly high at 16 per cent.

"This is why we are not very competitive in the international market," Gadkari explained. He announced that the National Competitiveness Authority (NCA) has set an ambitious target to reduce logistics costs to single digits—specifically 9 per cent—within two years.

The Minister expressed confidence that improved logistics efficiency would significantly boost India's export potential. "In the whole world today, there is a lot of demand, and I am 100 per cent confident that reducing logistics costs will help expand our exports," he stated.

Gadkari emphasised the importance of road quality while acknowledging that modern technology is helping address many transportation challenges. He stressed two key priorities: comprehensive driver training programmes for safer roads and the adoption of new vehicle technologies that can reduce costs.

The Minister noted that while current imports for certain vehicle categories stand at 22 lakh units, India is moving towards domestic manufacturing, which could potentially halve costs and make transportation more economical.

Looking towards the future, Gadkari expressed optimism about electric vehicles, stating: "While I don't know if it's immediately possible for all large vehicles, I am 100 per cent confident that electrification will happen in due course of time."

He praised Volvo for introducing new technology that will improve logistics efficiency, help increase exports, and reduce domestic logistics costs. Gadkari concluded by appealing to all stakeholders and customers to prioritise LNG, CNG, or electric vehicles, emphasising that while they might have higher upfront costs, their long-term value for the country and society would be greater.

Commenting on the launch, Vinod Aggarwal, MD & CEO, VE Commercial Vehicles Ltd., stated, "The Volvo FM 420 4X2 road train is another pioneering introduction by Volvo Trucks for the Indian market. Designed to enhance the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of road transport, it aligns perfectly with the ongoing transformation in Indian logistics and the government’s Gati Shakti master plan. Volvo Trucks India is grateful to Nitin Gadkariji, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, and ARAI for championing such advancements, and we remain committed to bringing more global innovations to India."

The solution is being operated by Delhivery Ltd.

Suraj Saharan, Co-founder and Chief People’s Officer at Delhivery, said, "We're excited to further strengthen our partnership with Volvo Trucks as we advance towards high-efficiency, sustainable long-haul logistics. From adopting tractor-trailers to LNG and electric trucks, Volvo has been a key enabler in our journey. Road trains are a natural next step, perfectly suited to our high-volume line-haul operations. With India's expressway network expanding rapidly, we look forward to scaling this innovation across more routes in the near future."

Emphasising Volvo Trucks’ unwavering commitment to safety and efficiency, B. Dinakar, EVP & Business Head, Volvo Trucks India, remarked, "Beyond productivity and cost-effectiveness, our focus is on the safe integration of this pioneering solution on Indian roads. I am grateful to the ministry for having certified this path-breaking solution. We will now work to implement this highly efficient and safe transport solution in other suitable sectors."

The new offering includes ultra-modern displays with a 12-inch digital Driver Information Display and a 9-inch touchscreen Secondary Information Display that can show 360-degree vision cameras and real-time driver coaching. Volvo has implemented an electronic stability control system that continuously monitors individual wheels on both truck and trailers, distributing brake pressure as needed for better vehicle stability and safety. For improved manoeuvrability in tight spaces, the Road Train comes with a self-steerable axle for the trailer.

An 810-litre fuel tank is designed for extended operations, allowing the trucks to run around the clock without frequent refuelling stops. The Volvo FM has earned the maximum 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating, featuring an air-suspended climate-controlled sleeper cabin with airbag protection for operator comfort and safety. The vehicle's pre-trip diagnostic system checks all vital parameters before departure and alerts drivers to potential issues via pop-up messages on the information display.

The Road Train concept was formally incorporated into regulations in 2020, allowing for vehicle combinations to operate at higher efficiency and capacity in the logistics industry. This development is part of India's ongoing efforts to modernise its transportation infrastructure and improve road train efficiency according to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

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IVECO BUS has delivered its first GX 337 H2 LINIUM hydrogen city bus to the Lorient Agglomeration in France.

The delivery is part of a project that will eventually see 19 hydrogen buses added to the IziLo Mobilités network fleet, with 10 further units scheduled for delivery during 2026.

The GX 337 H2 LINIUM utilises a 100-kW fuel cell powered by four hydrogen tanks, integrated with a 69-kWh FPT Industrial battery pack. The bus has a claimed operational range of 450 km, can accommodate up to 110 passengers and hydrogen consumptions is claimed to be around 20 percent lower than others. Furthermore, it also is equipped with a heat pump system for thermal management and also comes with IVECO ON services to monitor performance and ownership costs.

Fabrice Loher, President, Lorient Agglomeration and Mayor of Lorient, said, “With the introduction of this first hydrogen bus, Lorient Agglomeration reaffirms its ambition to lead a bold and transformative energy transition. This milestone marks the emergence of a local sector that fosters innovation and job creation and strengthens our collective ability to offer sustainable mobility solutions tailored to the daily needs of our residents.”

Giorgio ZINO, Head of IVECO BUS Commercial Operations in Europe, said, “We are proud to see Lorient host the first European delivery of our GX 337 H2 LINIUM hydrogen city bus, a tangible demonstration of our commitment to working alongside local communities for decarbonised collective mobility. This technology delivers a high-performance solution, combining autonomy, comfort and energy efficiency and plays an active role in building a more sustainable future.”

IziLo Mobilités serves 25 municipalities with a population of 207,000. The network operates over 140 bus and boat lines. The introduction of hydrogen technology is intended to support the transition to carbon neutrality and reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the fleet.

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Caterpillar has announced that all Cat Customer Value Agreements (CVAs) will be eligible for an upgraded Services Commitment beginning in 2026. The programme is designed to provide equipment owners with specific timelines for maintenance and repairs.

Under the new terms, CVAs that include dealer labour will feature a Two-Day Repair commitment for common repairs. If the equipment is not returned to service within this timeframe, the customer receives a payment. Furthermore, the Parts Next-Day availability commitment covers maintenance, wear, and repair parts for pickup at a designated dealer location.

The CVAs provide 24x7 access to equipment health management tools, including VisionLink and Cat Inspect, to monitor asset insights. Agreements also include:

• Support from local Cat dealers.
• Delivery of Cat parts and fluids for planned maintenance at the customer's location.
• Options for equipment coverage, portability, and transferability.

Ebban Clause, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, Construction Industries Services Division, said, “Our new Services Commitment program with a CVA is all about offering the customer hassle-free, peace-of-mind equipment ownership. Customers dealing with downtime need to act fast, and they need parts to get the equipment up and running quickly. Our new Services Commitment delivers just that – Two-Day Repairs, Parts Next-Day, or the customer gets paid.”

The global rollout of CVAs with the upgraded Services Commitment will begin in the Q1 of 2026. The implementation will continue through 2027, depending on regional availability.

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Propel Industries Private Limited showcased a large portfolio of construction equipment at Excon 2025 that included four new electric tipper models. The company aso unveiled an all-new connectivity platform and a comprehensive after-sales uptime solution. 
The four new electric tippers include the 90CED (claimed to be India's first ultra-fast charging 90 tonne electric dumper with ADAS Level 1 safety), 70CED (claimed to be India's first 8x4 mining e-tipper with 25 cu m rock body), 560HEV-X (claimed to be Indias first 8x4 construction tipper with 25 cu m box body), 470MEV Gen-2 (caimed to be India's first 6x4 tipper with 20 cu m rock body) in particular. 
The Pulse.ev connectivity platform as a new digital ecosystem built in-house specifically for electric mining and hauling operations includes features such as real-time vehicle health and diagnostics; energy consumption insights; predictive maintenance analytics and fleet optimization suite for multi-shift operations.
"The announcements reinforce Propels commitment to innovation, high-productivity for customers, zero-emission, and future-ready heavy-duty mobility. Since start of EV truck sale in 2023, the brand has expanded its presence across coal, overburden, limestone, iron-ore, stone quarry, marble & granites, and solid waste management segments. Propel trucks have cumulatively covered over 5 lakh operating hours and the first set of 8 trucks have clocked 12,500 hours in 2 years, which is equivalent to 20 hrs per day. This proves the reliability and uptime of the propel electric trucks," said Siddarth Kirtane, President – EV Sales, Marketing and Service, Propel Industries. 

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JCB India launched its largest ever excavator at 52 tonness in India. It did so at the Excon 2025 exhibition in Bengaluru. The excavator, showcased along with over 10 new products, will cater to domestic as well as export markets.  Of the over 10 machines the company showed at the show, there included backhoe loaders with enhanced features in line with the customer-first strategy. JCB India is giving much attention to lower cost of ownership, higher fuel efficiency, improved machine uptime, enhanced safety and ergonomics while designing its new equipment.    With sustainability the factor, the company showcased the hydrogen engine powered backhoe loader that it unveiled in 2023. It announced the expansion of its hydrogen powered construction equipment portfolio at Excon 2025 with a hydrogen-powered genset.  "Excon is a forum that brings together customers, policymakers, contractors, financiers, suppliers, and technology leaders, creating an ecosystem for strategic collaboration and long-term business growth. JCB exports to more than 135 countries from India and this year we also have customers from South Asia, Africa Region and South-East Asia visiting us. Excon allows us to understand evolving market needs and demonstrate how our latest solutions align with both global and India’s infrastructure demands," said Deepak Shetty, CEO and MD, JCB India. 

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