Transport technology showcased at ITT Hub

ITT Hub 2023 demonstrated the convening power of the commercial transport industry in its quest to reach net zero

ITT Hub 2023, which took place at the Farnborough International Exhibition on 10-11 May, provided a platform for showcasing the latest transport technology, equipment and services in the indoor and outdoor exhibition as well as the opportunity to see first-hand the newly launched vehicles in the market.

Co-located with Logistics UK’s Future Logistics Conference and Cold Chain Hub by TCS&D, ITT Hub guided the transport industry through a challenging ecosystem of future-altering technologies and opportunities that will transform the ever-evolving market and beyond.

On Wednesday 10 May, the Government announced that longer lorries will be introduced to Great Britain’s roads to support its priority to grow the economy, boost productivity and support supply chains, while saving an estimated 70,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere.

The announcement was followed up on day two of the Future Logistics Conference, where the Minister of State for Decarbonisation & Technology, Jesse Norman MP, gave a ministerial address on the government’s ambitious plans to achieve net zero emissions in the transport sector by 2050.

The minister, who described ITT Hub as a ‘fantastic event with fascinating range of technologies and businesses on show’, touched upon newly announced regulations, priming strategies, and the action-focused roadmap towards a zero-emission future.

Professor, broadcaster and author Jim Al-Khalili also delivered a keynote at the conference on the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and its role in the future of transport.

Additional speakers included deputy director at the Department for Transport, Dr

Bob Moran; senior manager in transport decarbonisation at the National Grid, Russel Fowler; and director of strategy & innovation at Transport for London, Thomas Ableman. Logistics UK also launched its 2023 Electric Vehicle (EV) Report on the second day of its Future Logistics Conference. The report examines the public chargepoint network, power supply availability and fiscal support, as well as servicing, maintenance and repairs, and lessons learned from those that have begun the transition to EVs.

A smarter transportation system

Across the ITT Hub show floor, the dedicated tech talk theatres, Passenger Fleet, Commercial Fleet, Energy Hub by National Grid, and Cold Chain, set the future path for a smarter, more sustainable global transportation system. Pioneering exhibitors showcased their latest technology and solutions, such as Hydrogen Vehicle Systems (HVS) who unveiled its gamechanging hydrogen powertrain in the form of a 40-tonne HGV technology demonstrator. The truck features a unique powertrain and radical cab design, making it the first indigenous UK Hydrogen HGV, designed and built from the ground up. It has a class-leading 370 mile range and can be refuelled in 20 minutes. Solomon Commercials teamed up with Mercedes-Benz Trucks to debut and launch Britain’s first fridge-bodied eActros electric truck. The truck is based on a 4x2 eActros 300. Fitted with three nickel manganese cobalt battery packs, for a total installed capacity of 336kWh, it boasts a range 205 miles and can be recharged from 20 to 80 per cent in 75 minutes, using a 400A 160kW charger. Watt Electric Vehicle Company (WEVC), showcased its WATT eCV1 which is undergoing a testing programme.

The WATT eCV1 enables a wide range of electric commercial vehicle designs, facilitating mission-specific models which meet customers’ particular fleet requirements.

Collaboration

Carlo Zoccali, venue and show director at Farnborough International and ITT Hub, said: “Over the last two days, we have demonstrated the convening power of the transport technology industry at ITT Hub and the need for the show to be a catalyst between industry, associations, government, and the wider ecosystem to reach Net Zero goals.

“We were proud to welcome multiple representatives from the Department of Transport and organisations such as Transport for London, National Highways, Network Rail and EDF Renewables, to bring the ‘behind closed doors’ conversations to the forefront of the sector. We look forward to building upon this progress in 2024.”

ITT Hub was supported by leading commercial partners, Logistics UK, National Grid and Zenobē and gold sponsor Samsara. Owned and organised by Farnborough International, ITT Hub will return to Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, 15-16 May 2024. L