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Transporting NZ chairman Warwick Wilshier says there is still a need for a single voice to represent the industry.

Conference looks to the future

INSIGHTS INTO THE FUTURE OF ROAD TRANSPORT

and a renewed call for a single voice to represent the industry were among the themes of The Road Ahead: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand conference in Invercargill at the end of September.

More than 250 delegates gained valuable insights across a broad range of transport industry-related topics.

Over two days at the Ascot Park venue, presentations ranged from roading issues, new powertrains, driver health and well-being, training and recruitment, staff engagement, employment legislation and other topics in a future-focused conference that looked at the challenges and opportunities for the industry.

A year on from the split which saw the National Road Carriers Association and NZ Trucking Association exit the Road Transport Forum (now Transporting New Zealand) there remains a strong desire to have a single voice represent the industry.

In his opening address to the conference, Transporting NZ chairman Warwick Wilshier said it had been a year of change for the organisation.

“In September last year, OCANZ (Owner Carriers Association of New Zealand), decided that it no longer wanted to continue as a member of the RTF due to the Road Transport Association (RTANZ) request that we form one management structure for the industry, leading eventually to one organisation.

“While it was sad that this occurred, further muddling our industry voice to Government and the public, it has meant that the board has been on a single focus to modernise the membership experience over the last year.

“We have successfully combined the operations of the Road Transport Association and Road Transport Forum, and rationalised resources.

“There is now a much more direct connection of information and intelligence from members to the organisation and back again. We have lifted our profile significantly and have begun a change to widening our community across road transport and related industries.

“Change is not yet over for the road transport industry. The ultimate aim is for us to have one strong and powerful organisation and that remains our goal in the medium term,” Wilshier said.

Mainstream politics also featured at the conference.

Southland MP Penny Simmonds welcomed delegates to the conference and described the transport sector as: “the oil that keeps the machinery of regional economies like Southland moving, and New Zealand’s economy as a whole functioning.

“It is therefore absolutely essential that we keep our oil topped up, that we keep the transport sector informed, prepared and future focused.

“With the right support, and a Government that values and gets out of the way of, rather than hinders, the transport industry, this is a sector that can continue to perform at a world-class level and continue to go from strength to strength, enabling our economy to grow,” Simmonds said.

National’s transport spokesman Simeon Brown challenged the government and said it needed to keep costs under control.

He said roading funding was being diluted as activities such as coastal shipping and rail were being funded from the National Land Transport Programme.

“We have to be realistic, 93% of freight moves by trucks and that isn’t going to change any time soon regardless of how much money the government spends on rail,” he said.

Transport Minister Michael Wood didn’t attend the conference but delivered a Zoom presentation to outline the Government’s key priorities, including the Road to Zero strategy that aims to reduce deaths and serious injuries on the roads by 40 per cent by 2050.

“Based on international evidence, we can do the right things and save many lives – safer vehicles, safer drivers, safer roads, and safer speeds,” he said.

Minister Wood said the government remains committed to spending money on improving roads, as well as the need for new technologies and acting on climate change. His presentation also hinted that something like the Clean Car Rebate system introduced earlier this year could be a tool to accelerate the uptake of alternative powered heavy commercial vehicles.

A panel comprising Liz Yeaman (Retyna Group) Ryan McDonald (Hiringa Energy), Nic Williams (Z Energy) and Anthony Jones (HWR Group) gave updates on the latest electric vehicle technologies, energy policies and hydrogen projects.

While these technologies were still emerging, transport operators should try to gain early experience of the new energy alternatives to prepare for the future.

A highlight of the conference was an economic review by economist Cameron Bagrie, who said the world has entered a new era that is going to require a different approach.

“You have to take risks because doing things the same old, same old is not going to work. As well as dealing with disruption, the laws of economics are back in play.”

He said “economic reality” had sunk in over the last week after the UK announced a big spending package and tax cuts.

“The pound got absolutely smashed and interest rates increased. The market was telling the politicians the days of the bottomless pit in terms of money is over. We need substance to decisionmaking, not politicians spreading money or tax cuts about like confetti.”

US Federal Reserve Governor Jerome Powell got it right by warning about the dangers of inflation and saying it needed to be fixed.

There was also some other good news. “House prices are not going to keep going up. Perhaps New Zealanders need to invest in real productive assets and banks need to change their culture and invest into the real productive part of New Zealand.”

Bagrie also stressed the need to invest more in education, health and in infrastructure.

“Will a change of government support infrastructure spending and address education or simply put money in people’s pocket to appease voters? We do not need tax cuts. Witness what happened in the UK. We need policies with real substance,” Bagrie said. T&D

Economist Cameron Bagrie says the economic and political landscape is changing.

A panel comprising Liz Yeaman (Retyna Group), Ryan McDonald (Hiringa Energy), Nic Williams (Z Energy) and Anthony Jones (HWR Group) gave a comprehensive review of electric and hydrogen vehicle technologies.

The new DAF XD distribution truck clinched the 2023 International Truck of the Year award.

DAF scores award double

DAF HAS ACHIEVED BACK-TO-BACK WINS IN THE

International Truck of Year award.

The new DAF XD series was revealed as the 2023 International Truck of the Year during the IAA Transportation press day in Hanover, Germany.

The success follows the 2022 win by DAF’s new generation heavy-duty XF and XG models. The award is decided by a jury of 24 commercial vehicle editors and senior journalists representing 24 major trucking magazines throughout Europe.

With a winning score of 134 votes, the Dutch truck manufacturer’s new distribution segment contender fought off tough challenges from Scania’s new Super long-haul driveline range and Mercedes-Benz’s heavy-duty Actros, equipped with the third generation OM 471 engine.

Based on the International Truck of the Year (IToY) rules, the annual award goes to the truck introduced into the market in the previous 12 months, making the most significant contribution to road transport efficiency. This judgment relies on several critical criteria, including technological innovation, comfort, safety, driveability, fuel economy, environmental ‘footprint,’ and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

With the same DNA as the new generation heavy-duty XF, XG, and XG+ models, DAF’s XD has taken full advantage of the EU’s new masses and dimensions regulations.

The result is a truck range that dramatically improves direct visibility (a key factor for distribution vehicles), internal cab space, aerodynamics, fuel efficiency, active and passive safety, and driver comfort.

During recently test drives in the Netherlands, the IToY journalists appreciated the driving position and the all-round enhanced visibility provided by a large, curved windscreen, side windows with low beltlines, and the kerb-view window.

These features - along with the optional digital vision system that replaces the traditional rear view mirrors and the corner view mirror – improve the safety of vulnerable road users on congested urban roads.

The IToY jury also praised the performance of the new powertrain, which is based on the inline-six cylinder Paccar MX-11 engine, coupled with the ZF TraXon automated gearbox with advanced predictive features.

“With the introduction of the new XD series, DAF has delivered a state-of-the-art distribution truck family that sets a new benchmark in the automotive industry. Moreover, the new XD is also a suitable platform for the coming generation of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), to be introduced at the IAA Transportation,” says IToY Chairman Gianenrico Griffini.

New Zealand DAF distributor Southpac Trucks says the new generation XD range isn’t expected to be available in the Kiwi market until 2026.

The other major award included in the IToY programme is the 2023 Truck Innovation Award won by the Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ eActros LongHaul – a concept prototype for electric heavy-duty long-distance transport.

With a winning score of 112 votes, Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ batteryelectric truck (BEV) fought off the competition from ZF eTrailer, the full-electric Volta Trucks Zero range, and Faun Enginius fuel-cell powered vehicles for municipal missions.

According to IToY rules, a Truck Innovation Award nominee must be an advanced-technology vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of over 3.5-tonnes fitted with an alternative driveline or fuel system. Otherwise, it must feature specific high-tech solutions concerning connectivity (semi- or fully autonomous driving systems), platooning capability, or advanced support services such as remote diagnostics. T&D

Scania (right) and Iveco (below) are both readying public road trials in Europe for autonomous truck technology.

Autonomous trials set for Europe

THE USA AND CHINA HAVE BEEN AT THE FOREFRONT

of autonomous trucking development and testing on public roads.

Now it’s Europe’s turn to join the fray with both Scania and Iveco set to begin pilot test schemes.

Scania is partnering with HAVI Supply Chain for a ground-breaking trial that sees an autonomous truck being used in the transport of commercial goods under regular traffic conditions.

The pilot aims to learn about the effectiveness of autonomous truck transport as part of hub-to-hub operations on a route between Sodertalje and Jönköping, a three-hour journey of around 300km. The route forms part of a longer logistics flow for HAVI, with the first and last mile being handled by manually driven vehicles.

“We know the transport system will change in the coming years and that the industry faces challenges of driver shortages and diminishing margins, so the transformation process towards autonomous technology needs to start happening right away,” says Robert Melin Mori, the Scania project manager in charge of this initiative.

“We need to learn about autonomous operations now so that we are ready as soon as the technology is ready. We believe this pilot will be a hugely important stepping stone,”

The pilot is a first step in showing how autonomous trucks can form part of a viable hub-to-hub logistics flow and allows Scania and HAVI to evaluate the effectiveness of the technology in their operations.

“This is an autonomous transport solution being used under real operating conditions with commercial goods for a third party. No one has done that before in Europe,” says Peter Hafmar, Head of Autonomous Solutions at Scania.

HAVI is a natural partner for Scania in this bold project. The two companies have already established a strong track record of cooperation in several forward-thinking initiatives around electrified transport.

Iveco is working with California-based Plus and has completed the initial phase of closed course testing to prove the technical feasibility and capabilities of the Level 4 PlusDrive-equipped Iveco S-WAY truck.

The next important phase of the pilot is to conduct public road testing, paving the way for Iveco and Plus to produce a semi-autonomous product as a first step and to prepare for ultimately manufacturing fully autonomous vehicles.

“By leveraging Iveco’s deep expertise in commercial vehicles and Plus’s leadership in autonomous driving technology, we are advancing our capability to develop and later commercialise the next generation of innovation-driven, safety-enhanced, sustainable transport solutions,” says Marco Liccardo, Chief Technology & Digital Officer, Iveco Group.

Initial public road testing in vehicles supervised by a safety driver will cover a number of countries in Europe including Austria, Germany, Italy, and Switzerland. The diversity in terrain, road gradient, weather, and driving scenarios all help to continuously expand the capabilities and features of Plus’s autonomous driving technology. T&D

Cummins has solar power installations at 51 locations around the world with the Rocky Mountain Engine Plant being the largest in North America.

A place in the sun

INVESTMENT IN SUSTAINABILITY AND GREENHOUSE

gas reduction by Cummins extends beyond its research into alternative fuels and vehicle electrification.

Electricity for Cummins’ Rocky Mountain Engine Plant (RMEP) in North Carolina is now being provided by the company’s largest solar array in the United States.

The RMEP solar installation will directly support the Cummins PLANET 2050 environmental sustainability strategy by using low-carbon renewable power.

The 2030 goals included in the Cummins PLANET 2050 strategy call for reducing absolute greenhouse gas emissions from facilities and operations by 50%. The RMEP solar array and increasing the use of renewable power will significantly help move closer to that target.

The plant produces mid-range diesel and natural gas engines for more than 500 customers. It is a major employer in Nash County, North Carolina with over 1,800 people employed at the location.

The 3.62MW solar farm sits on 5.7Ha and will produce around 5.6 million kWh of power annually to reduce the plants commercial energy needs.

“We have ambitious sustainability goals in PLANET 2050 - aligned with the Paris climate accords and a target to be carbon-neutral by 2050 - and are fully committed to achieving them,” says Jennifer Rumsey, President and CEO, Cummins.

“To get there, our efforts must touch our products, customers, facilities, employees and supply chain. This project is a reflection of that, and our goal of reducing absolute greenhouse gas emissions from facilities and operations by half by 2030.”

Unique to RMEP, the project uses solar tracking panels. This system has a single-axis tracker allowing the panels to arc and track the sun as it rises and sets. This increases system efficiency without having to install more panels.

The largest solar array within the company is on top of the Beijing Foton Cummins Engine Company (BFCEC) in Beijing, China, one of the company’s busiest plants, while, RMEP is Cummins’ largest solar array in the United States and the largest Cummins owned solar installation globally.

Cummins has completed 51 solar array installations at locations around the world, with 35 of these projects completed since 2019. There are 21 installations in India - where Cummins to date has its largest renewable footprint.

Planning is underway for 44 additional solar installations at Cummins sites, including 15 projects in the US, nine locations in China and sites in Mexico, the UK and Australia. T&D

Victory Kiss

HUNGARIAN RACER NOBERT KISS CLINCHED THE

2022 Goodyear FIA European Truck Racing Championship with a round to spare.

Defending champion Kiss, who drives for the Revesz Racing MAN team, extended the points lead he held at mid-season by posting seven more wins in the final 16 races of the series held at Most (Czech Republic), Zolder (Belgium), Le Mans (France) and the finale at Jarama (Spain) on October 1-2.

A record-breaking run saw Kiss with an unassailable lead in the series after the penultimate round at Le Mans to win the European title for the fourth time since 2014.

Across the eight-round, 32-race series Kiss was dominant scoring 16 race wins to accumulate 410 points. His commanding advantage was reflected by the other 16 race wins being shared among nine of his rivals.

Six-time champion Jochen Hahn (Germany) finished runner-up in his Iveco with 295 points, just 10 points clear of compatriot Sascha Lenz driving an MAN. Champion Norbert Kiss (1) chasing the Freightliner of Adam Lacko at the Nurburgring.

Above: Trang Nguyen (left) from Castrol with Truck Driver Hero Award winner Josh Hart and his parents Debbie and Barry. Below Right: John Alexander, Hayley Alexander, Paul Hintz, Neil Reid, Nadine Rowan-Thompson, Brianna Wilson, Josh Hart and Shona McGlashan in an awards night group photo. Lower Right: Neil Reid accepts the Supreme Award and his Life Membership of Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting NZ.

Above: Bill Richardson Transport world in Invercargill hosted the Industry Awards night. Below Left: Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting NZ chairman Warwick Wilshier presents Neil Reid with life membership of the association. Below right: Canterbury’s Brianna Wilson won the EROAD Young Driver of the Year award.

Southern Celebrations

THE 2022 EDITION OF THE NEW ZEALAND ROAD

Transport Industry Awards held in Invercargill on September 29 put the spotlight onto both lifetime contributions and the recent achievements of youth in the industry.

Staged at Bill Richardson Transport World, the awards dinner ended The Road Ahead Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand annual conference held at the Ascot Park Hotel over September 28-29.

Headlining the awards was the VTNZ Supreme Contribution to the NZ Road Transport Industry award which recognised Neil Reid’s lifetime involvement in the road transport industry.

A recent Road Transport Forum Chairman serving a six-year term, Neil was also named the inaugural life member of Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand at the awards evening.

Achievements over shorter timescales were also celebrated with the EROAD Young Driver of the Year (under 35) being won by Canterbury’s Brianna Wilson who has recently become a Class 5 driver at Philip Wareing Ltd.

And the Castrol Truck Driver Hero Award winner was young Auckland driver Josh Hart who was given a standing ovation for the success of his antibullying initiatives. The award also carries a $3500 travel prize.

Hamilton-based Alexander Group was named winner of the EROAD Outstanding Contribution to Health & Safety Award for its long standing leadership in the adoption of new safety innovations and consistently outstanding performances among the top of EROAD users globally.

The 2022 recipient of the Teletrac Navman Outstanding Contribution by a Woman in the Road Transport Industry is Jenny McIntyre, CEO of Waimea Contract Carriers from Nelson. In a video acceptance Jenny dedicated the award to her late father Simon.

The awards night also recognised the first group of Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand graduates from the innovative Te ara ki tua Road to Success training and qualification pathway.

Graduates Nadine Rowan-Thomson and Sheryl McGlashan were able to attend in person while Hayden Cockburn and Mark Closel had their graduations to Class 5 licences accepted by the employers who supported their training. T&D

Nadine Rowan-Thomson with the team from KAM Transport.

Road to Success gains momentum

THE ROAD TO SUCCESS

programme has ambitious plans over the next 12 months to bring new drivers into a road transport industry feeling the effects of staff shortages and an ageing workforce.

“We want to have 1000 enrolments in Te ara ki tua Road to Success by the end of 2023,” says Membership Manager Fiona McDonagh.

“It’s vital we show that truck driving and transport is a profession, and that people can begin a career that has a clear pathway and a progression with recognised industry qualifications.

“We’ll be updating up our website with Road to Success stories and case studies and increasing our social media and print media messaging.

“We are also engaging with some of the larger companies to encourage them to bring both their new staff and any existing staff, who would like to upskill and gain qualifications, into Road to Success,” Fiona says.

Launched in May 2021, Road to Success is an industry-wide initiative of Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting NZ, the National Road Carriers and the NZ Trucking Association that aims to bring a traineeship framework to the industry.

The programme is structured to provide theory learning through micro-credentials to compliment the on the job training, as new drivers progress from class 2 to a Class 5 license in a 1224 month timeline. It also enables existing drivers to gain the industry qualifications to recognise their skills and ability behind the wheel.

Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting NZ recognised the first four Road to Success graduates during the annual Industry Awards dinner held in Invercargill on September 29.

Sheryl McGlashan (Brenics Transport), Mark Closel (NZ Express) and Hayden Cockburn (Road Transport Logistics) have completed the four micro credentials and progressed to Class 5 licences through Road to Success while Nadine Rowan-Thomson (KAM Transport) has completed all four micro credentials and is due to sit her Class 5 Learners licence in the next few weeks.

Fiona McDonagh says the first four graduates are being followed by another group that will have completed all of the qualifications and will graduate from Road to Success early in the new year.

Website: www.roadtosuccess.nz T&D

Sheryl McGlashan (left) receives her Road to Success graduation certificate from Fiona McDonagh.

Transport Repairs in Cromwell has joined the Isuzu authorised service and parts (ASC) network.

Isuzu network expands

TRANSPORT REPAIRS IN CROMWELL HAS BECOME the Isuzu authorised service and parts (ASC) dealer for Central Otago.

The move expands Isuzu’s coverage across the Otago region and increases the national network of ASC dealers to 18.

“Key to the success and popularity of Isuzu Trucks is dependability, reliability as well as nationwide after-sales support and service,” says Dave Ballantyne, General Manager of Isuzu Trucks New Zealand.

“We are committed to supporting our customers and the provision of a truly nationwide after-sales and service network is pivotal to achieving this. The appointment of Transport Repairs as an ASC will help ensure our customers have extra support close to hand in the Central Otago region.”

Transport Repairs Branch Manager Kieran Stevens is thrilled that he has been given this status and has already sent several staff to Auckland for the latest training.

“We have enjoyed great success in recent years and to have this endorsement is exciting for our staff and local customers,” says Stevens.

“We have noticed that most fleets in our area feature Isuzu’s which are well suited to our environment where narrow roads and long distances are often part of a normal days work for transport companies in this area.”

Transport Repairs have a modern workshop and also have an active apprenticeship programme with up to 12 new apprentices taken on each year.

“Our teams encourage young people to learn all about servicing modern trucks which feature more and more technology, and Isuzu does a great job in teaching mechanics from all over NZ at their Auckland training school,” Kieran says.

Transport Repairs will work closely with Cooke Howlison, the Isuzu Master Truck Dealer for Otago. T&D

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Testing continues for Volta Zero

THE FULL-ELECTRIC 16-TONNE VOLTA ZERO HAS

completed hot weather testing ahead of its series production debut early next year.

The Vehicle Development team at Volta Trucks completed more than 2,500km of customer-focused driving cycles at motorway, town and city speeds while based at the Nardo Technical Centre in southern Italy for six weeks.

In temperatures of up to 39degC during the day and 28degC at night, the air conditioning system and thermal management of the battery and powertrain of the Volta Zero have been fully evaluated to ensure operational reliability.

Although unlikely to be experienced in its natural urban surroundings, testing has also been completed on dusty road surfaces, pushing the vehicle’s suspension, steering, traction control and braking system beyond the expected limit of normal customer usage.

In addition, dust accumulation was studied for cabin and load box ingress, as well as how it sits on components such as lights, wipers and panels.

“The testing allows our engineers to incorporate their latest findings in the series production of customer specification vehicles, ensuring the Volta Zero will deliver a reliable and durable experience for future customers,” says Ian Collins, Chief Product Officer of Volta Trucks.

The Volta Zero is the world’s first purpose-built full-electric 16-tonne vehicle designed for urban logistics, reducing the environmental impact of freight deliveries in city centres. It is designed with an operating pureelectric range of 150-200km.

The prototype was launched in September 2020, with the first vehicles starting to be evaluated by customers in late-2022. Volta Trucks now has a total order bank of 6,500 vehicles, including orders for 1.470 trucks made by DB Schenker and an order of 1,000 trucks by Petit Forestier.

Volta Trucks is a scale-up full-electric commercial vehicle manufacturer and services company with its Head Office in Stockholm, Sweden. Engineering is led from the UK, and forthcoming manufacturing will take place at Steyr, Austria. T&D

Hot weather testing for the Volta Zero is southern Italy included loose surface roads.

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Next year’s Brisbane Truck Show runs from May 18-21.

Brisbane show gears up

THE BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

promises the biggest line-up of trucks, trailers, components, equipment and technology in the Southern Hemisphere next May.

The biennial event will run from Thursday May 18 to Sunday May 21 2023 with the big brands under one roof at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre.

The show, recognised internationally among the world’s leading industry business events, is owned and run by national industry association, Heavy Vehicle Industry Australia (HVIA), who have produced the Brisbane Truck Show, on behalf of members and the broader industry, for over 50 years.

HVIA’s National Events Manager Noelene Bradley says the response from exhibitors has been overwhelming.

“We are delighted and humbled by the enthusiasm of all exhibitors to return for BTS23, including those that were prevented from making it to the last show,” Ms Bradley said.

“From an attendee point of view that sets us up for a compelling, value for money event.

“And that is before we even start talking about all the external events such as the South Bank Truck Festival – all going from strength to strength.”

HVIA has developed a comprehensive strategy to ensure the continued growth of the Australian heavy vehicle sector’s major biennial event into the future.

The show’s themes and communication objectives are summed up by a group of key areas: innovation, safety, sustainability, careers, knowledge and community. From there they extend through technology, design, engineering and advanced manufacturing, to road safety, business insights, skills development, education & careers, workplace health & safety and more. T&D

Volvo testing fuel cell trucks

VOLVO TRUCKS EXPECTS TO BEGIN CUSTOMER

testing of fuel cell electric trucks on public roads from 2025.

The testing in commercial traffic with selected customers in Northern Europe is the second phase of the test programme for the fuel cell trucks that only emit water vapour and have an operational range comparable to diesel trucks, up to 1,000km.

When running the pilots, the filling of green hydrogen from renewable sources will be done at the home-depot.

Hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric trucks will be especially suitable for long distance and heavy, energy-demanding assignments. They could also be an option in countries where battery charging possibilities are limited.

“I believe that the pilot tests will highlight the potential for fuel cell electric trucks. The tests will run in a demanding, harsh climate and it also give us a great opportunity for driving with heavy loads up 65 tonnes,” says Jessica Sandström, SvP Global Product Management at Volvo Trucks.

A fuel cell generates its own electricity from the hydrogen onboard instead of being charged from an external source. The only bi-product emitted is water vapour. Volvo’s electric trucks will use two fuel cells with a capacity to generate 300kW of power and will have a refuel time of less than 15 minutes.

Fuel cell technology is still in an early phase of development. While there are many benefits there remains some challenges, not least the largescale supply of green hydrogen and need to develop fuelling infrastructure. To overcome the lack of available hydrogen when running the pilots, the filling of green hydrogen from renewable sources will be done at the homedepot.

“We expect the supply of green hydrogen to increase significantly during the next couple of years, since many industries will depend on it to reduce CO2. The fuel cell trucks will be important for longer and heavier transportations in a few years from now,” Sandström says.

The fuel cells will be supplied by cellcentric – the joint venture between the Volvo Group and Daimler Truck AG. Cellcentric will build one of Europe’s largest series production facilities for fuel-cells, especially developed for heavy vehicles. T&D

Volvo will start testing hydrogen-fuelled fuel cell electric trucks on public roads in 2025.

MOVE looks to methanol

THE COASTAL SHIPPING SERVICE BEING ESTABLISHED

by MOVE Logistics Group will include future methanol capability for its new roll-on, roll-off (RORO) vessel design.

Earlier this year, MOVE successfully secured $10 million in co-investment funds from transport agency Waka Kotahi to support coastal shipping initiatives that improve the competitiveness of domestic coastal shipping, reduce freight sector greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance resilience.

Waka Kotahi has endorsed the proposal by MOVE for its RORO vessel design that includes a methanol tank and pipework installation during construction. This will allow the new vessel to be ready for the swap-in of carbon-friendly methanol powered engines as they become available.

“MOVE is committed to decarbonisation of freight and logistics activities,” says Executive Director Chris Dunphy.

“Our decision to invest alongside Waka Kotahi demonstrates the very real nature of how a former trucking company can become truly multi-modal and offer resilience to our clients via coastal shipping.”

The new RORO vessel will be able to berth wheeled cargo into at least 13 New Zealand ports, without the need for any new port infrastructure to be built. The vessel will initially operate three sailings a week between Nelson and New Plymouth and provide an additional sea bridge between the North and South Islands. T&D

The new MOVE RORO vessel will initially operate between New Plymouth and Nelson.

The Air Suspension Wheel can achieve fuel savings due to lower rolling resistance which reduces toxic emission gases or extends battery range for EVs.

Re-inventing the wheel

A US COMPANY IS REINVENTING THE TRUCK WHEEL

with an alternative to rubber tyres.

Phoenix, Arizona-based Global Air Cylinder Wheels is continuing the development of its unique Air Suspension Wheel (ASW) which is constructed mostly out of steel.

Global Air Cylinder Wheels says the design represents the next generation of wheels for many industries, offering innovative environmental benefits, fuel saving, emission reduction, and EV battery extension.

It says the ASW is an eco-friendly, stronger, and safer alternative to the traditional rubber tyre and is up to 60% more economical over the lifetime of the wheel.

The ASW construction combines an inner steel hub with an outer steel drum which is connected by eight or 12 nitrogen-filled air cylinders and up to six oil-filled dampers that provide suspension and damping.

On the outer drum, individually bolt-on steel or polyurethane treads are fitted. These individual treads can be replaced without removing the wheel, a time-consuming process that takes up to eight hours with Off the Road (OTR) rubber tyres.

“Many industries operate under status quo, resistant to change,” says Dr. Zoltan Kemeny, president and CEO of Global Air Cylinder Wheels.

“Those companies that do adopt new technologies and embrace innovation will prosper. We provide a breakthrough multi-vertical highpotential technology. For end-users, it solves a real problem. For investors, it gives them a unique opportunity to invest in an old market.”

The mechanical wheel design can be adjusted to the payload, speed, sideload, size and weight requirements of a variety of applications.

Benefits include no overheating and the tyre can’t explode. There is less waste as only the part that wears off will be replaced and the construction makes use of more sustainable materials.

The company also says the treads of the ASW can be made with biodegradable materials.

The ASW also achieves fuel saving due to lower rolling resistance which reduces toxic emission gases or extends battery range for EVs.

Braking energy gets stored in the cylinders and gets returned to kinetic energy. The wheels have an estimated 10-15 years lifetime and are 100% recyclable..

The ASW technology has a strong patent portfolio with eight granted, and with 52 patents pending. The company has received multiple initial purchase orders and is expected to be fully commercialized within two years with rapid adoption into mining fleets.

“We are planning to have a commercially ready product for the mining market in Q1 2023 where the need is most urgent,” Kemeny says. “Then followed by over-the-road applications such as cars, buses, and trucks. We are also looking to start developing other verticals next year.”

Global Air Cylinder Wheels has been developing the Air Suspension Wheel for OTR mining vehicles since 2016. T&D

Hyundai scores design award

HYUNDAI’S TRAILER DRONE FULLY AUTONOMOUS

hydrogen mobility concept has secured the Korean marque its first-ever `Luminary’ honour at Red Dot Award: Design Concept 2022.

The `Luminary’ title is the highest level of recognition accorded at the Red Dot Award: Design Concept, selected from among Red Dot’s `Best of the Best’ winners to serve as inspiration and role model for designers.

The hydrogen-powered container transportation system is capable of operating fully autonomously. With the number of intelligently packaged hydrogen tanks tailored to the journey profile, the Trailer Drone ensures more than 1,000km of range from a single refuel, comparable to existing container transportation systems.

The concept is based around the flexibility of e-Bogies to deliver a unique and innovative commercial mobility solution in which a trailer is placed on two e-Bogies, allowing it to rotate in a smaller radius than a general trailer.

Unlike conventional tractors that are designed for container transportation only, Trailer Drone offers a multi-purpose platform capable of unlimited business applications. When operated separately from a container trailer, the e-Bogie can be used in fields such as construction, firefighting and rescue.

“Trailer Drone is an important model that shows our vision for fully autonomous, hydrogen fuel cell-based commercial vehicles,” says SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai Global Design Centre.

“This Luminary award celebrates the passion and efforts of our designers and engineers to make the dream of zero-emission mobility come true.”

Hosted by Design Zentrum Nordrhein Westfalen in Germany, Red Dot Award is one of the world’s largest design competitions. The award breaks down into three different disciplines — Product Design, Brand & Communication Design and Design Concept — to better appraise the diversity in the field of design.

The Red Dot Award: Design Concept invites designers, design studios, companies and universities to present their most exciting design concepts and prototypes to an international panel of design experts. T&D

PowerTarps new appointment

RIKI WILSON IS THE NEW SOUTH

Island manager for PowerTarps NZ, a leading retractable tarp supplier.

Riki comes to PowerTarps with extensive experience selling and installing retractable tarps and is looking forward to getting out and seeing new and existing PowerTarps customers and growing the business.

“I’m pleased to be representing a brand like PowerTarps. Our retractable tarps are built to the highest quality. I am looking forward to reconnecting with my previous customers in both the commercial transport and the agricultural sectors,” Riki says.

Established in New Zealand in 2009, PowerTarps (NZ) is a family owned and operated business specialising in high quality mesh and PVC retractable tarps for trucks, trailers and agricultural bunkers. Its tarp systems can be easily operated from inside the cab or from the ground using a smooth twin cable system that has had many years of development and enhancement.

“With the growth of our South Island business, it was time to put someone on fulltime representing the PowerTarps brand,” says managing director, Gary Andrews.

“We are pleased to have someone of Riki’s experience come on board to support our South Island customers and our distributors - Page Engineering and Skoda’s Trucking Solutions.

“Riki will be pivotal in enhancing the customer experience and service delivery for PowerTarps customers,” Gary says.

“We have a very passionate team at PowerTarps that continue to deliver a quality product. With maize silage season arriving, Riki will be busy out seeing these customers and showing them the features and benefits of our side winder product.” T&D Riki Wilson

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