Iveco goes racing
When engines roar and tyres screech at the start of each round of the 2025 Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship (ETRC), there is something quietly revolutionary leading the way. For the first time in truck racing history, the official pace truck is fully electric — the Iveco S-eWay, which has made its debut as the “ePaceTruck”.
A practical step towards sustainability
The Iveco S-eWay is not merely a token gesture towards environmental responsibility. It is a fully functioning, high-performance electric truck. Equipped with nine 82 kWh battery packs – offering a total capacity of 738kWh – it delivers a range of up to 500 kilometres. With a 350kW fast-charging system, it can recharge to 80% in just 90 minutes, ensuring it can cover the demands of a full race calendar without the need for frequent top-ups.
Supporting the ETRC’s decarbonisation goals
The ePaceTruck was unveiled at the season opener in Misano, Italy, on 17 and 18 May. It plays a key role in the European Truck Racing Association’s (ETRA) long-term aim of achieving CO₂ neutrality by 2038. The electric pace truck joins Iveco’s existing S-Way LNG model – powered by bio-LNG – which has already served as the pace vehicle for two seasons. Together, they illustrate Iveco’s multi-energy strategy in a highly visible, competitive environment.
Designed to lead and be seen
Visually, the S-eWay makes a statement. Its striking livery is complemented by LED light bars, flashers, a robust front protection bar, and a headlight system tailored for high-visibility conditions. Under the skin, the truck features a twin-motor electric axle developed by FPT Industrial – Iveco’s powertrain partner – delivering 480kW of continuous power and 1,800Nm of torque.
From road to race
The road-going version of the S-eWay was announced in November 2023. Designed for a variety of missions – from hub-to-hub to urban distribution – it carries the same core technology: the nine-battery, 738kWh system, capable of withstanding real-world operating conditions, including extreme temperatures from -30°C to +50°C. The vehicle’s advanced thermal management ensures both performance and reliability.
Industry endorsement
Georg Fuchs, Managing Director of the ETRA, sees the electric pace truck as a meaningful step forward: “The fully electric Iveco S-eWay pace truck marks another important step in our commitment to sustainable truck racing. Together with Iveco, we are sending a strong signal to the wider industry: change is happening, and it’s happening now.”
Celebrating 50 Years with future vision
This year marks Iveco’s 50th anniversary and its fifth season as an official partner of the ETRC. Carlotta Mathis, Head of Strategy and Marketing at Iveco, underlines the significance: “The ETRC has always been more than a motorsport event for us. It reflects key values like innovation, endurance, and progress. By putting our electric truck in such a high-performance environment, we demonstrate that sustainable solutions can meet the highest demands.”
Beyond the pace truck
Iveco’s involvement in the 2025 ETRC extends beyond the ePaceTruck. The company continues to back “Die Bullen von Iveco”, the joint racing team of Team Schwabentruck and Team Hahn Racing. Both compete in the Iveco S-Way-R – refined over the off-season for greater performance.
Six-time European Champion Jochen Hahn is optimistic: “We’ve fine-tuned both engine and chassis, and after testing in Most, we’re feeling very prepared.”
Meanwhile, Steffi Halm returns with Team Schwabentruck, piloting her vivid red S-Way-R: “I expect my competitors to see nothing but red every time I pass them,” she jokes.
This season also welcomes Dakar Truck winner Martin Macik to the grid – another sign of the ETRC’s growing prestige and Iveco’s magnetism in attracting top-tier drivers.
A testing ground for cleaner transport
All Iveco trucks on the ETRC grid run on HVO (Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil) – a renewable diesel alternative that reduces emissions while maintaining performance. This reinforces the championship’s role as a test bed for emerging sustainable technologies.
Iveco’s dual focus on battery-electric and bio-LNG power mirrors the real-world reality facing many logistics operators: the need for multiple, scalable alternatives to diesel. In this context, motorsport is no longer peripheral but increasingly central to the innovation and testing of the transport industry’s future.
