REVIEw

from Fleet Transport winter 2021

ShIPPInG & FREIGhT

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. 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.

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

new energy solutions, part of the ‘Better Preservation & Better Consumption themes. A newly launched zero emission refrigeration semi-trailer launched

Lamberet Chereau

Symbio

DAF LF EV is powered in three different ways - through a 380 Volt socket, or by a battery pack which can be recharged by an energy recovery e-axle or by solar panels fitted to the roof. symbio is a Michelin-Faurecia company, specialising in developing and deploying fuel cell systems. With facilities in Europe, Asia and North America, Symbio works with automotive manufacturers, offering a complete range of compact StackPack systems and services from 40 to 300kW.

DaF trucks, proudly displayed its new XF Hydrogen, which scooped the ITOY Truck Innovation Award, alongside the New Generation DAF XF & XG ranges, which on the International Truck of the Year 2022 Award. There was also an opportunity to experience a first test drive of the new LF Electric 250kW 19t.

Ford trucks has set the ball rolling with the establishment of a nationwide sales and service network through the

formation of F-Trucks France. It has been brought about by the coming together of three big truck dealerships, all with strong regional footprints, to meet the needs and objectives of this progressive Turkish manufacturer. Making the announcement, Ford Trucks attracted much attention by employing the ambassadorial services of French rugby legend Sébastian Chabal, whose father has a history in road transport. A visit to the Bpw stand proved newsworthy in that the German trailer axle, brakes, component and accessories producer has collaborated with thermo king to create an electric refrigerator unit for temperature control on semi-trailers, using the middle axle as the motorised unit to run the fridge on board. Two battery pack sizes are available 19 & 38kW, which can be recharged inside two hours. Regeneration can be done while on the road. R&D was carried out at Thermo King’s Galway facility and in BMW’s HQ in Germany.

Promoted on a screen in one corner of the BPW stand was the reveal of BAX, an all-new electric distribution truck, which uses the Isuzu N-series as its base platform. scania mixed conventional diesel powertrains with electro-mobility with the announcement of a new 13-litre Diesel engine, together with ready to drive hybrid (diesel-electric) and fully electric versions of its rigid trucks. These were also available to drive on the Test Track outside at the end of hall 4.

Volta trucks

gave its new full-electric Volta Zero distribution truck it’s European show premiere, with a liveried version taking all the spotlights on the Petit Forestier stand. 25 Design Verification prototypes are

Ford Trucks Thermo King / BPW

Scania

Volta

Ford Transit Connect now in production at the company’s new plant in Steyr, at the former MAN owned facility in Austria.

Another premiere was the revolutionary ie Truck from Irizar. The Spanish bus and coach builder has entered the

truck marketplace with this hi-visibility three-axle electric refuse truck. From the inaugural drive, a little more refinement is needed, otherwise it runs well, with great all round vision and a very tight turning circle. Additional working hours can be gained on this low-entry truck by come, the new Ford Transit Connect was launched here, but not a ‘blue-oval’ product as we know it as it’s based on the new Volkswagen Caddy 5. This is the first of the collaboration project between the two brands, which will see shared vans and pick-up being made featuring their own badging. The Connect panel van is due next year. renault trucks, headquartered only a stone’s throw away from the EurExpo had much to say, deputing it’s Evolution T, C & K Ranges, shoulder to shoulder with its expanding electric truck and van line-up. Highlighted during the briefing was the introduction of a new 13-litre Diesel engine with turbo compound includes and a stronger motor/ battery pack for the Master Electric with 52kWh. Also in focus is the promotion of more extensive use of biofuels. Frappa, another French trailer and bodybuilder has a very interesting project underway with Air Liquid with nitrogen as the main source of carbon beating through its cryogenic refrigeration system. It has a 990litre tank and the nitrogen is stored at -196o for quicker, quieter and emission free cold temperature control. Setanta Vehicle Sales has been appointed Frappa agents in Ireland.

Man trucks

is continuously improving its products, and its new family of light, medium and heavy duty rigids and tractor-units offer efficiencies in many areas. The German marque’s move to battery electric is happening and on the ground as is its autonomous driving programmes. By 2025, it will have self-driving trucks in operation within controlled sites and these units will be in series production by 2030, and electrical-

ly propelled.

IVECo continues to focus on alternative fuels, taking the lead with Natural Gas throughout its range of light

to medium to heavy duty commercials. Both CNG/Bio-CNG and LNG systems have been further modified as well as the introduction of XTL & HVO biodiesel options. Among the debutants were the new X-Way construction range and the

Renault Trucks

Frappa MAN eTGE

IVECO

Mercedes-Benz special edition S-Way TurboStar.

Volvo trucks concentrated on its zero-emission reduction processes with a strong physical presence with its broad

selection of electric trucks and also a LNG powered FH tractor-unit. It was announced that by 2040, Volvo will be totally fossil free with all of its product lines.

A novel billboard promoted Mercedes-Benz’ technology innovations, which include electric mobility as demonstrated by the debut of the production version of the eActros. Progress is also being made with its hydrogen developments with the latest GenH2 truck currently undergoing further field tests with selected hauliers – see last edition of Fleet Transport.

Following its takeover of Italian refrigerant specialist Zanotti, Daiken is starting to make ground and compete with the big 3 transport reefer manufacturers. Exigo is said to offer more than a conventional box bodied semi-trailer refrigerator system, with faster temp pull down, no belts, low TCO and a broad network providing aftermarket support and parts availability.

German/Turkish trailer builder kassböhrer coped well during the pandemic crisis, through ‘Reliance, Adopting & Innovation’ as described by Iffet Turken. By keeping in touch with customers, meeting to their needs and adjusting to new trends, the company is small enough to listen and care, while being big enough to undertake the project being applied for.

Just two weeks after appearing at Ecomondo, at the Eurexpo, Gervasi Ecologica, the Italian waste management specialist trailer builder was back in Lyon again in Hall 5. On the stand was its scrap transport giant, the 80 cubic metre #MaxiTiger, with its impressive wear-resistant steel body, two-cylinder side tipping system and original high-strength steel gooseneck chassis.

Another French autonomous vehicle innovator navya displayed the Autonom Tract AT135 which is already in use in real conditions on the production site of a major global car manufacturer, operated by the logistics company GEODIS. It fits naturally into existing traffic, both indoors and outdoors, offering a maximum operating speed of 15km/h in full autonomy and a traction capacity of 25 tonnes.

Pride of place on the HIAB stand was the Dundalk made Moffett electric

truck mounted forklift, an example from its E-Series, a recent winner of the International Fork Lift Award.

The Moffett E-Series, the world’s first lithium-ion powered truck mounted

forklift, is emission-free without compromising on lifting capacity.