eTrucksProject at the 14th International Fatigue Congress

Posted on: July 9, 2026

We are happy to share that the eTrucksProject was represented at the 14th International Fatigue Congress (IFC14) hosted in beautiful Funchal, Madeira. Recognized as one of the leading conferences in the field of fatigue, IFC14 provided the perfect opportunity to showcase our latest research within our project. We are excited to share that the project was represented by two presentations addressing key aspects of fatigue performance and durability for future battery electric commercial vehicles:

• Fatigue Performance of the New Leaf Spring Steel 45SiCrV9Ni for Applications in Battery Electric Vehicles
• Shot Peening on High-Strength Steels: A Computational Study

The conference provided an excellent platform to exchange ideas with researchers and industry experts from around the world, discuss the latest developments in fatigue and structural integrity and share insights gained within the eTrucks project. A big thank you to the conference organisers for hosting such an inspiring event and to everyone who contributed to the engaging discussions. We are looking forward to bringing these new perspectives into the next phase of the project.

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Driving Innovation at the 5th Consortium Meeting in Valencia

Posted on: June 9, 2026

On June 1st, the eTrucks consortium gathered in Valencia, Spain, for the fifth in-person project meeting, kindly hosted by our project partner MBHA. The meeting provided an excellent opportunity to review the progress achieved across the project, discuss ongoing technical developments and coordinate the next steps towards our upcoming objectives. Bringing together partners from across Europe once again highlighted the value of close collaboration and the exchange of ideas, helping to drive the project forward. Beyond the technical sessions, the meeting offered valuable opportunities for discussion, networking and strengthening the partnerships that are key to the success of the project. A particular highlight was the guided tour through the leaf spring manufacturing facilities at MBHA, providing valuable insights into industrial leaf spring production processes. A big thank you to MBHA for their warm hospitality and excellent organisation and to all consortium partners for the productive discussions. We look forward to the next project milestones and to continuing our joint efforts towards more sustainable freight transport across Europe.

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Conference Proceedings Published Following ICEAF VIII - Kalamata, Greece

Posted on: April 1, 2026

We are pleased to share that the eTrucks project was represented at the 8th ICEAF - International Conference of Engineering Against Failure in Kalamata, Greece, where project partners from LMEMD - Laboratory of Machine Elements and Machine Design Aristotle University Thessaloniki and IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT presented recent research results. Two conference papers showcasing key findings of the project have now been published in the Engineering Proceedings journal of MDPI:

• Processing Optimization of the New Steel Grade 45SiCrV9Ni for Modern Leaf Springs in Battery Electric Vehicles
• A High-Accuracy 3D Simulation of Surface Shot Peening

The contributions highlight detailed advances in modelling and simulation for enhanced component performance: one focuses on processing optimization and microstructure–property relationships in advanced high-strength steels for battery electric vehicles, while the other develops a high-accuracy 3D finite element simulation of stress shot peening to improve residual stress profiles and fatigue life in high-strength spring steels. Thank you to ICEAF - International Conference of Engineering Against Failure for providing an excellent platform for scientific exchange.

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e-TRUCKS Project Fourth Meeting - Rennerod, Germany

Posted on: December 2, 2025

On December 2nd, the consortium gathered for the 4th project meeting in Rennerod, Germany, kindly hosted by Stresstech GmbH. A big thank you to Stresstech GmbH for the warm welcome and excellent organisation! During the meeting, we reviewed and discussed the upcoming milestones and deliverables, aligned on priorities, and set the course for the next project phase. The collaboration, expertise, and openness within the team continue to be key drivers of our progress. Besides productive discussions, we also enjoyed an insightful lab tour at Stresstech GmbH, providing a deeper look into their measurement technologies and workflows, a great opportunity to connect the project’s technical aspects with real-world applications. Looking forward to the next steps and continued joint achievements!

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eTrucks Project at ICEAF VIII - Kalamata, Greece

Posted on: July 3, 2025

Last week, Stefan Dietrich and Niki Nouri from KIT had the opportunity to attend the 8th ICEAF - International Conference of Engineering Against Failure in beautiful Kalamata, Greece. The presented work, from the e-Trucks EU-project, titled “Influence of Different Shot Peening Treatments on the Fatigue Behaviour of Modern Leaf Spring Steels” contributed to important discussions on fatigue performance and surface engineering. Throughout the conference, they enjoyed a wide range of high-quality presentations showcasing the latest research and innovations in engineering failure prevention. Additionally, they participated in the Hellenic Metallurgical Society (HMS) workshop on “Advanced Methods of Simulation and Characterization of Metallic Materials”, which featured top-tier keynote speakers and insightful sessions on cutting-edge simulation and material analysis techniques. A big thank you to the organizers and fellow attendees for an inspiring and collaborative atmosphere!

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e-TRUCKS Project Third Meeting - Bilbao, Spain

Posted on: June 3, 2025

On June 3, 2025, project partners met in Bilbao, Spain, for a productive and inspiring third in-person meeting of the eTrucks Project EU. Hosted by Sidenor Aceros Especiales in the heart of the Basque Country, the day combined technical insight with human connection. From progress updates and strategic planning to hands-on learning during a lab tour, and informal networking that sparked new ideas — the energy in the room was unmistakable. A sincere thank you to the Sidenor Aceros Especiales team for their incredible hospitality and smooth organization — and for giving us a look behind the scenes at one of the region’s key steel industry player. This meeting marked another step forward in our mission to improve battery powered freight solutions with the necessary modifications in suspension systems on Europe’s roads.

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e-TRUCKS Project Second Meeting - Karlsruhe, Germany

Posted on: December 10, 2024

On December 10, 2024, partners of the eTrucksProjectEU came together once again — this time at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) in Karlsruhe, Germany — to continue shaping the future of low-emission road freight transport in Europe. The meeting offered a valuable opportunity to: Review progress across all working packages, Strengthen collaboration between industrial and research partners, Align on the next milestones A big thank you to our hosts at IAM-WK: Institute for Applied Materials, KIT for their warm welcome and excellent organization! The momentum is growing as we move closer to realizing our shared vision of a more sustainable and efficient freight transport sector.

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e-TRUCKS Project Kick-Off Meeting - Thessaloniki, Greece

Posted on: July 2, 2024

On 2/7/24, we officially launched our new research project, e-TRUCKS, funded by the European Union, with a totally successful kick-off meeting. A research project focusing on advanced technologies for greener and cleaner transportations! A big thank you to all our project partners for enthusiasm and commitment: Sidenor Aceros Especiales, MBHA Group, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Stresstech, and IVECO! Also, a big thanks to European Research Executive Agency (REA) for their support. Stay tuned for updates as we embark on this exciting journey!

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