IAA Transportation Sets Attendance Records in Hanover
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HANOVER, Germany — IAA Transportation brought together manufacturers, industry stakeholders and business leaders from around the world to discuss the latest clean-energy solutions for the transportation industry.
The number of attendees jumped to 145,000, about 10% more than the last event in 2022. The conference also set a new record for the number of test drives — 6,300, a 15% increase over 2022. Visitors took emission-free commercial vehicles out on the event grounds and on public roads. Manufacturers offered test drives in 60 vehicles.
“Here at IAA Transportation, the industry shows that we have already developed and are producing products for climate-neutral mobility,” said Hildegard Müller, president of the German Association of the Automotive Industry, in her opening speech. “Now it’s about getting these production-ready vehicles on the road.”
Presenters speaking during the event made clear that policymakers must develop and implement a concrete action plan focusing on infrastructure. “The biggest obstacle to a swift, successful and widespread adoption of climate-neutral drives is the necessary infrastructure — especially in terms of charging stations and forward-thinking grid expansion, as well as hydrogen refueling stations,” Müller said.
A Scania tractor on display during the conference. (IAA Transportation)
Müller added that equipment manufacturers have already created climate-neutral and digital solutions to address many of the industry’s various challenges. “Freight forwarders want to convert, want change and then face reality: The local grid operator often reports several years of waiting time to provide the necessary capacities,” she said. “It’s clear and evident that something is going wrong here — decisive countermeasures are urgently needed.”
Volvo Trucks, for one, has sold electric trucks in 48 countries across every continent and in all climate conditions, said Jan Hjelmgren, the manufacturer’s senior vice president of product management. He said the OEM works with customers to set up tailored solutions for private charging but noted that the industry overall “needs more public charge points.”
A Mercedes-Benz tractor on display at the conference. (IAA Transportation)
OEMs are also working together to find refueling solutions to drive adoption of clean-fleet technology. Volvo is part of a joint venture with Traton and Daimler Truck to bring 1,700 new charging points to Europe. Hjelmgren added that in North America, Volvo is collaborating with Pilot and utilizing their travel centers for charging infrastructure.
Throughout the event, component and vehicle manufacturers displayed their latest offerings. Volker Wissing, Germany’s federal minister for digital and transport, said IAA Transportation “provides a prominent stage for the latest technologies and developments in the commercial vehicle industry” and is a “great showcase for the innovative power of the transport sector and related industries.”
The next IAA Transportation is Sept. 15-20, 2026, in Hanover. (IAA Transportation)
Going forward, Müller said all relevant stakeholders must now be held accountable, with a clear road map, regular monitoring and opportunities for adjustments.
The next IAA Transportation is Sept. 15-20, 2026, in Hanover.
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