Since its foundation in 2008, Designwerk has achieved recognition through a series of innovations. In 2009, the company designed the DXP three-wheeled mail delivery vehicle. One year later, it achieved a world record in the first Zero Emissions Race around the world with Zerotracer, a fully enclosed electric motorbike. This was followed in 2012 by the electrification of the 1950s BMW Isetta scooter, a project that resulted in the Microlino light electric vehicle.
However, Designwerk not only does small and playful but also big and strong. In 2013, the company’s engineers developed a fully electric truck, the E-Force. Not long after, in a lighthouse project supported by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), four electric recycling collection vehicles were built under the Designwerk sub-brand Futuricum. They are now proving their suitability for everyday use in the same number of Swiss regions. In 2021, an e-truck from Designwerk drove 1099 kilometres without recharging – a range world record.
The manufacture of electric trucks is central to Designwerk’s commercial activities. With a scant 200 employees, it produces a full 100 vehicles a year. And the huge demand for fossil-free commercial vehicles means it is set to continue to grow over the coming years. After establishing itself in Switzerland, the company went on to enter the market in Germany and the Scandinavian countries. Since 2021, the Volvo Group has held a majority stake in Designwerk.
The company is focused on developing full-system solutions, providing not only electric vehicles but also the batteries and chargers to go with them. Scientific support for these technical developments is provided by the SFOE and prominent industrial partners. In 2023, in addition to the nine existing battery sizes, Designwerk presented the Mega Charger project. The project’s aim is to develop a megawatt charging system in a shipping container, for heavy commercial vehicles. The system can then be parked at motorway service stations or similar locations. It is expected to have sufficient capacity to supply four large trucks, in just 45 minutes, with enough electricity to cover another 500 kilometres. The product range also includes mobile rapid chargers for commercial vehicles. These can be easily moved around a vehicle fleet, simplifying charging logistics.
Designwerk Technologies AG
