38 | REVIEW
SOLUTRANS 2021 – EurExpo, Lyon, France
Two difficult years have come and gone since the last occasion that the city of Lyon, France welcomed visitors to Solutrans, the biennial trade show for road transport.
Hyvia The national cum international exhibition managed to fulfil its promise to delivering a wide and varied number of stands, 10,000 in all, covering 90,000 sq.m over 5 halls, which was on par with previous occasions.
Lamberet A considerable feat in itself. The event also received top billing in hosting four FLEETTRANSPORT | DEC-JAN 2022
major international awards announcements and trophy presentations, namely the International Truck of the Year, Truck Innovation Award, International Van of the Year and International Pick-up Award, with DAF Trucks, Renault, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota among the prize winners. Although it could not be tasted, smelt or seen, hydrogen (H2) power was very much in the air all around the halls taken up at the EurExpo centre. From vans to trucks and trailer manufacturers, the research and development of this high-tech zero-emission technology for industry and mobility is speeding up fast, with prototypes already on the road. Groupe Renault on its home territory premiered Hyvia, its Hydrogen technology joint venture with industry specialists Plug Power. As previously reported the H2 range extender featured on the Master panel has now extended to mini-bus and chassis cab options. Representatives were overwhelmed by the interest in these developments, which are not too far away from production and into
the marketplace. As for Renault light commercials, the spotlights were on the new Kangoo Van, which shared the International Van of the Year 2021 Award honour with the new Mercedes-Benz Citan II, announced at the Show. French trailer brands Lamberet and Chereau both showcased their systems for refrigerated semi-trailers that are bound for significant take-up as stricter legislation is coming down the road regarding use of noisy, diesel powered reefer units.
Chereau Lamberet was totally electrified at Solutrans with its Innovation Fresh project launched at the show. This is a hydrogen based refrigerant for semi-trailers, co-developed with Bosch, Carrier Transicold and Stef. Other zero-emission technology was directed towards fittings to truck bodies and light commercials. Chereau explained how it is bringing
Symbio new energy solutions, part of the ‘Better Preservation & Better Consumption themes. A newly launched zero emission refrigeration semi-trailer launched
