Volvo Trucks has taken another step toward longer ranges for electric vehicles, unveiling a fully electric rear axle at the IAA truck show in Hannover, Germany.

The eAxle design integrates electric motors and the transmission, freeing space that can be used to add batteries, the OEM said. And more batteries equate to greater range until recharging is required.

When introduced for fuel-cell-electric trucks later this decade, the extra space can be used to install other components, it added.

“This is a breakthrough for electric trucks and a clear signal that there will be a huge demand for public fast-chargers for heavy trucks in the near future, not the least along highways,” Jessica Sandström, senior vice-president – global product management, said in a press release.

“We will continue with our versatile battery electric trucks that are already in production.They can currently cover a wide range of transport assignments. In a few years, we will add this new rear e-axle for customers covering longer routes than today,” she added.

Volvo Trucks’ zero-emissions strategy builds on battery-electric, fuel-cell-electric, and combustion engines that run on renewable fuels such as biogas or green hydrogen.