SOLUTRANS

SOLUTRA

CHAMPIONS THE ENERGY TRANSITION

UNDER THE PATRONAGE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC, EMMANUEL MACRON, BIENNIAL TRADE FAIR SOLUTRANS 2021 IS THE PLACE TO BE FOR THE LATEST IN HEAVY AND LIGHT COMMERCIAL VEHICLE INNOVATION. HERE IS A GLIMPSE OF WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE SHOW WHICH WILL BE HELD 16-20 NOVEMBER 2021 AT LYON EUREXPO.

Road transportation as we know it is changing. There is a revolution of sorts in how industry is harnessing energy to improve operational efficiency as well as minimise carbon footprints. Sweeping legislation on these matters across Europe has accelerated thought leadership and empowered innovators to address these challenges head-on. Right now, there are regulations in place to reduce harmful emissions as well as pressure on vehicle makers to consider hybrid concepts to transition away from diesel including hydrogen, biofeul and electric batteries.

This scratches the surface of what to expect from the conferences and professional discussions to be had at this year’s Solutrans,

As a platform for innovation, the trade fair is once again conducting a range of initiatives. The Innovations Awards, organised by FFC, recognise outstanding innovations and performance of body-built vehicles. The awards will be presented at an evening function in a legendary venue, the Lyon Groupama Stadium. A new ‘Digital Award’ will acknowledge the success of a company working in computer technology or connectivity as it applies to the sector.

The winners of the well-known international awards ‘International Truck of the Year’,

‘International Van of The Year’, and ‘International Pick up Award’ will also be revealed at the prestigious gala evening. look out for the presentation of the 2020 and 2021 Industry Personality of the Year Awards which pay tribute to an institutional figure for their actions and their commitment to the industry.

At this year’s Solutrans, Goldhofer will

SOLUTRA NS

showcase the new friction-steered semi low loader »STEPSTAR« and a force-steered »MPA« 4 (1+3) semi-trailer designed specifically for the French market. What the two have in common is an impressive range of applications for transporting heavy loads, so that haulage companies can use them for a wide variety of transportation operations.

“Handling as much work as possible with a minimum number of vehicles is the recipe for success with smart fleets,” said Goldhofer Regional Sales Manager, Romuald Espinasse. “So, we are delighted to be able to present these products to our customers.”

The self-steering, three- to five-axle »STEPSTAR« semi lowloaders offer a combination of low deadweight and high payload. They also feature a well designed loading area and full system for secure lashing. In combination with the loadable »MEGA« gooseneck, total rig length can be utilised to the full, even when transporting high loads. The loading area itself is fitted with the hardwearing flooring TRAFFIDECK GO codeveloped by Goldhofer. This not only saves weight compared with wood or rubber flooring but, with a thickness of just 8mm, it is also extremely thin and has a very high coefficient of friction for optimum load securing. The additional anti-slip sanding provides enhanced safety in all weather conditions.

For heavy haul companies one of the major drawcards of the »STEPSTAR« is its outstanding flexibility. The extra long and wide excavator arm recess is open to the rear. It is designed to take even very long and large excavator arms such as those used in the demolition business. This greatly increases the vehicle’s range of applications. It also comes with Goldhofer’s new generation of ramps, which have a very low ramp angle and are easy to mount and remove, so they can also be used with other »STEPSTAR« lowloaders in the fleet.

“The »STEPSTAR« series meets our customers’ expectations in terms of quality and intelligent details at a competitive price,” said Espinasse. “The vehicles can be used for permit-free transportation throughout Europe with payloads of up to 26.3 tonnes and a gross rig length within the 16.5m limit.”

Specially designed for the French market, the »MPA« 4 (1+3) low loader semi-trailer makes light work of a wide range of heavy haul operations. With a low loading height of only 785mm, the robust and durable »MPA« 4 is the ideal solution for transporting high loads such as construction machinery, plant components and crane segments.

Meanwhile, CHEREAU will be presenting a new energy refrigerated semitrailer in line with the themes of ‘better preservation’ and ‘better consumption’ This trailer can be powered via mains thanks to a 380 volt socket or by a battery pack. The battery pack is recharged by an energy recovery axle (e-axle 24 Kw) or by the roof, which is entirely covered with solar panels. The body is equipped with VIP insulation (Vacuum Insulated Panels), vacuum insulation is the best insulation available and can save up to 25 per cent of energy in the refrigeration unit. Multiplexed, this vehicle is also equipped with the CHEREAU aerodynamic kit: the AeroTop-C which allows to save up to 0,3L/100 km and the AeroFlap-C allowing to save 0,7L/100 km or 1,1L/100 km when coupled.

In addition to hosting numerous exhibitors – including Kässbohrer, JOST, BPW, SAF-Holland, SAE-SMB, Assali Stefen, Lecitrailer and Takler Group – Solutrans will feature an outdoor demonstration zone. Here, attendees can see innovative equipment from heavy goods vehicles to light commercial vehicles and other systems in action. The track will also be supplemented with a 25km semi-urban route to enable test drives to take place in real-life conditions around the exhibition centre. The exhibitors will present, in actual conditions, an increasing number of ‘new energy’ vehicles. A new hall, Solutrans 4.0, will also be dedicated to disruptive innovation in the commercial vehicle sector with a view to offer insight to manufacturers, body builders and other industry professionals.

www.solutrans.eu

Solutrans 2019 was the event organiser’s most successful edition in the show’s history, reporting 56,000 visits, an increase of nearly 11 per cent on 2017.