Do you have any idea what Megawatt charging is? Me neither. Until I attended the Road Transport Expo at NAEC Stoneleigh on the 6th June, a must for #HGV fleet professionals and fans.
It was a brilliant day out, with 200+ suppliers showcasing the latest in trucks, trailers, tyres, tippers, tankers, safety equipment, and more. A fantastic opportunity to get up close with a wide range of specialist kit.
You could even test drive the latest in Euro-6 diesel, electric or biogas powertrain technology. What an opportunity to experience the cutting-edge advancements in vehicle performance and sustainability first-hand.
The Knowledge Zone discussions covered vehicle compliance, technology innovation, and fleet decarbonisation. There is a lot to think about!
The UK is at a crucial juncture in its shift to alternatively fuelled vehicles, a transition that is both challenging and exciting for the industry.
And it's a vitally important shift.
HGVs are responsible for 20% of the UK’s transport emissions, which is equivalent to all UK air travel, buses, and shipping combined, despite them only accounting for 1% of vehicles on our roads. Electrifying the UK’s HGV fleet could have a massive impact, akin to removing 13 million cars from the roads.
Despite the challenges, there was a real buzz of excitement at the Expo as many brands were launching new electrified products.
Renault Trucks UK brought along the UK’s first right-hand drive E-Tech T, showing their commitment to decarbonising transport.
Mercedes-Benz Trucks UK unveiled their eActros 600, designed for long-distance distribution with a range of 500 km on a single charge.
DAF Trucks UK’s new XB Electric 19-tonne GVW rigid made its debut.
MAN Truck & Bus UK presented the new MAN eTGX with an impressive daily range of up to 800 km.
Iveco Group showcased the new 4.25-tonne eDaily, part of its Driveaway programme for operators looking to go electric.
Smaller and emerging players like Volta Trucks, HVS (Hydrogen Vehicle Systems) a UK startup, and Bradshaw Electric Vehicles also made a strong impression with their innovative solutions.
It wasn’t just about the vehicles though.
There were countless other brands and products taking commendable steps towards a more sustainable future. From trailers to technology, software to servicing items and parts – if it’s part of the industry, it was there!
A standout for me here was Continental.
Reinforcing their position as ‘Your Trusted Fleet Partner’, they focused on reducing costs and choosing sustainable products. They’re currently testing CO2 neutral production as part of their goal to become the most progressive tyre company in terms of environmental and social responsibility.
Kudos to them!
All in all, an electrifying day out. Turns out Megawatt Charging (MCS) is almost 10x more powerful than the most powerful car charger! It’s brilliant to see the steps the haulage industry is taking for the sake of the planet.
I’ll definitely be back next year!
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