JIUTEPEC, MOR.- The discussion about sustainable mobility also involves thoroughly understanding the technology that makes it possible. From the type of batteries to how vehicles operate, the challenge lies not only in adopting new solutions, but in using them efficiently.
Within the framework of the 4th Meeting on Technology and Sustainable Mobility, organized by the National Association of Private Transport (ANTP) , Manuel Fernández, Product Engineer of Volkswagen Truck & Bus Mexico , explained that the development of technologies such as lithium-ion batteries is not recent, but the result of decades of evolution.
“It’s not something so new… it started thanks to the oil problem in the 70s,” he noted.
The specialist pointed out that lithium has become the dominant material in batteries due to its physical and chemical properties, which allow large amounts of energy to be stored in less weight.
“It’s the lightest… it allows us to have a large amount of voltage in a very small volume,” he said.
These characteristics have been key to their adoption in electric vehicles , including cargo vehicles, where weight and energy efficiency are critical factors.
Electric last mile: power and range
As part of its presentation, the brand exemplified its proposal for urban distribution based on its Delivery line and its evolution towards electric versions for the last mile, with which it seeks to compete in performance with traditional units.
According to the executive, the unit offers a power of 300 kW —more than 400 horsepower—, a torque of 2,150 Nm, a load capacity of 5.8 tons and a range of up to 200 kilometers.
This type of solution is already part of the brand’s global portfolio , although its deployment in Mexico is still limited and not yet widespread in the market. However, he cautioned that real-world performance depends largely on driving style: “Power delivery isn’t the same… with our driving habits, we end up depleting the batteries faster,” he explained.
One of the recurring issues surrounding the adoption of electric vehicles is the fate of the batteries once they lose capacity . In this regard, Fernández specified that lithium-ion batteries have an average lifespan of three thousand charge cycles. However, their use doesn’t end there.
“I don’t necessarily have to throw it away… we can use it as an additional battery bank,” he explained.
Regarding recycling, the engineer highlighted the hydrometallurgy process as one of the most efficient alternatives for recovering materials.
“If we want to talk about lithium recovery… it’s above 95%,” he noted.
This process allows the reuse of materials such as lithium , nickel, and cobalt for the manufacture of new batteries, although it involves technical and environmental challenges, such as the treatment of the water used.
Hydrogen: potential without infrastructure
In addition to electrification, Volkswagen Truck & Bus Mexico is also exploring alternatives such as hydrogen, a technology that is already being tested in Europe with vehicles that maintain characteristics similar to diesel vehicles.
These units can achieve ranges of up to 600 kilometers, but their arrival in Mexico faces a key obstacle: fuel availability .
“We don’t have any firm plans to bring it to Mexico; fuel isn’t easily accessible,” he acknowledged.
Beyond technology, the executive stressed that the main challenge remains the availability of energy, both electricity and alternative fuels.
“If I don’t have the option to plug it in to charge it, it’s a big problem,” he warned.
In this regard, he considered it necessary to advance in the development of energy infrastructure so that technological solutions can scale in the market.
Finally, the specialist acknowledged that the secondary market for electric vehicles still faces challenges, mainly due to the current limited adoption.
“Today we need to expand the market to increase demand,” he concluded.
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