Speaker Spotlight: Jean-Dominique Bonnet on the Future of Commercial Vehicles
Thursday, 13 March 2025
As we prepare for Lubricant Expo & The Bearing Show North America 2025, we are delighted to highlight Jean-Dominique Bonnet, Director, Advisory at Frost & Sullivan. With extensive expertise in commercial vehicles, Jean-Dominique will share his insights on market trends, government policies, and the evolving role of hydrogen in transportation.
Read our full interview below!
Can you share your journey and what led you to your current role at Frost & Sullivan?
From an early age, I developed a keen interest in cars, trucks, and motorcycles, and was fortunate to follow my passion by earning a degree in Mechanical and Engine Engineering in France, where I am originally from. My career began with Renault, followed by the Volvo Group, where I held international roles ranging from technical responsibilities to strategy and finance functions.
With a broad understanding of the industry and its challenges, it was a natural step for me to transition into an advisory role, supporting the acceleration of sustainable mobility. I joined Frost & Sullivan’s Automotive practice seven years ago, focusing on the commercial vehicle sector.
What are the key trends you’re currently observing in the North American commercial vehicle industry?
Road freight plays a crucial role in the North American economy, contributing 1.4% of U.S. GDP. However, the sector also presents challenges, including congestion, safety concerns, and environmental impact, accounting for 20% of NOx emissions, 7% of CO2 emissions, and 1% of particulate matter emissions in the U.S.
The industry is evolving to address these challenges through:
- More efficient vehicles – Innovations in fuel consumption, route and load optimization, uptime, and connectivity are enhancing efficiency.
- Advanced safety technologies – ADAS and, in the longer term, autonomous vehicles are driving improvements in safety.
- Transitioning to low- or zero-emission vehicles – While offering sustainable solutions, manufacturers must also balance total cost of ownership and operational flexibility in a landscape where technologies and infrastructure are still developing.
How do you think government policies and incentives will shape the future of commercial vehicles?
While battery electric light commercial vehicles (BEVs) in urban delivery applications already present viable alternatives, many sustainable vehicle solutions remain cost-prohibitive due to low production volumes. Government incentives can create a virtuous cycle by stimulating higher production, driving cost reductions, and fostering technological advancements.
For successful adoption, policies must align incentives with infrastructure development and ensure a seamless transition to regulations. However, trucking is a capital-intensive industry, highly sensitive to operational cost fluctuations. Striking the right balance between the urgency to act and the financial viability of new technologies is critical to a successful transition.
What role do you see hydrogen and fuel cell technologies playing in the future of commercial transportation?
Hydrogen’s potential in commercial transportation must be considered within the broader context of national energy policies. Countries investing in clean hydrogen—to support industries like fertilizer, steel, and cement production—are more likely to establish hydrogen’s role in mobility. Additionally, regions utilizing hydrogen to mitigate the intermittency of renewable power will benefit from its scalability, cost-effectiveness, and availability.
However, in markets without policy-driven hydrogen support, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) continue to evolve in range, cost, and charging speed, making direct competition challenging. The energy efficiency of BEVs also presents a hurdle for hydrogen’s widespread adoption unless explicitly backed by government policies.
What trends or technological advancements are you interested in seeing at the show?
I look forward to discussions on:
- Lubrication for hydrogen internal combustion engines
- Cooling technologies for hydrogen fuel cells
- Advancements in autonomous truck actuators and maintenance solutions
Join us in Detroit, March 18-20, 2025, to gain insights from Zoe Fard and other industry experts as they discuss the future of lubricants and alternative fuels. Register for FREE here