A joint venture (JV) to create electrified smart trailers claims to save up to 54% in diesel use and 30% in total energy consumption.
Finnish mobility firm Ahola Group said it had utilised Donut Lab’s in-wheel motors, as well as accompanying Donut Lab software, to convert smart trailers for the freight transport sector.
‘Cova Power’ trailers are propelled by Donut Lab’s compact and lightweight C-motor family, which the JV said limited the need for tractor pulling power and therefore reduced emissions and costs.
It added that the savings measured during studies conducted by the University of Oulu in Finland translated into annualised multi-million-Euros.
Donut Lab founding partner and CEO Marko Lehtimäki described the technology as “game-changing”.
He said: “One of the advantages of the Cova Power technology is the relative engineering simplicity of the system.
“It can be retro-fitted to any appropriately-sized trailer and requires only modest per unit investment, making for quick cost amortisation.
“Fuel costs and emissions are two of the biggest challenges in freight transport; Cova Power addresses both, and with our solution entire existing fleets can be converted to low-emissions simply and at relative low cost, bringing the benefits of electrified trailers to all operators.”
Juho Könnö, professor of automotive and work machine engineering at the University of Oulu, added: “Simulations carried out at the University of Oulu confirm the potential of Cova Power’s technology.
“In particular, fuel savings combined with low investment costs, as well as improved control and driving safety in challenging conditions, represent significant advances for the industry.”
Cova Power’s first working unit is set to debut at the Consumer Electronics Show Las Vegas in January 2026.
