Commercial Vehicle Show
motortransport.co.uk
Electric avenues The 2022 Commercial Vehicle Show at the NEC may have been a shadow of its former self, having lost the support of the mainstream truck manufacturers, but it remained a useful showcase for vans and pickups, workshop equipment and support services. This year, a clear theme emerged, as it was impossible to stand in one spot without seeing products and services, new and old, designed or adapted to meet the needs of the burgeoning electric vehicle market. Words and pictures by Colin Barnett and George Barrow
BPW takes power-generating trailer axles to the next level
OUT OF HIDING: One of National Highways’ trio of Operation Tramline DAF tractor units, normally seen – or not – in unmarked covert form, made a rare appearance in full police uniform for the duration of the show.
BPW’s new ePower unit, developed in co-operation with ThermoKing, moves the concept of electricity-generating trailer axles to a new level of sophistication. Its smart technology allows it to only engage in regenerative charging when needed, with features such as inclinometers to detect when it’s going uphill and switch off to save fuel. The ePower, only available with disc brakes, incorporates a pair of 9kW motors. BPW, which now has a manufacturing facility at its UK base in Leicester, is currently conducting trials of the system in advance of commencing deliveries in the final quarter of this year.
Volta Trucks plays it cool with Carrier Gray & Adams shows off a chilling solution One of the highlights of the Gray & Adams stand at this year’s show was this distinctive trailer, one of three destined for DawsonGroup. Its Carrier Vector eCool refrigeration has its batteries topped up by an 11kW Valx second axle. 10 MotorTransport
Volta Trucks displayed a nearproduction-ready prototype of its Zero 18-tonne battery electric vehicle to highlight its partnerships with third-party contributors to the programme. It had announced before the show that Carrier would be its preferred supplier of refrigeration equipment, as shown on the display vehicle, then at the beginning of the show it confirmed that Paneltex would be the provider of choice for ambient box bodies. 6.6.22
