15 January 2019

Kent-based Euromotive has introduced its first electric minibus conversion, based on the LDV EV80.

The electric bus is a wheelchair-accessible eight-seater and is Euromotive’s first pure EV, with bodywork based on the high roof version of the LDV EV80, the zero-emission version of the V80 panel van

The conversion includes a sliding door entrance and underfloor cassette-style wheelchair ramp to aid access to and from the vehicle, while it also features double rear doors accessible via an integrated tail-lift, which is concealed within the back door of the bus.

The interior of the vehicle is ply-linedand trimmed in carpet over a plywood floorfor extra insulation and soundproofing, with an anti-slip flooringsurface on top.The floor tracking is tested to comply with M1 (commercial minibus) standards.

A certificate of conformity and supported documentation from tests successfully carried out at MIRA and witnessed by the VCA is supplied with each vehicle.

15 January 2019

The Consumer Electronic Show (CES) has become the biggest global exhibition of future technologies, with all of the world’s leading technology companies converging to exhibit the latest and greatest examples of new innovation.

And while wafer-thin TV screens and phones that fold up like paper were very much the headline-grabbers in 2019, the freight and public transport industries also played a significant part in the Las Vegas showcase.

The big news for the truck industry came courtesy of Toyota, which has committed to building 10 fuel-cell powered trucks in association with US truck maker Kenworth, which will go into service as a study into the viability of hydrogen power in heavy haulage – something which will come under increasing amounts of scrutiny as vehicle manufacturers look for alternative fuel options.

The show also saw US truck makers move towards new markets, with Peterbilt revealing its new E220 electric truck chassis. The E220EV is significant for the UK as it is based on the Leyland Trucks-built DAF LF, and forms part of Peterbilt and DAF parent company PACCAR’s move towards developing electric drivetrains for urban deliveries.

Meanwhile, Daimler Trucks, parent company of Mercedes-Benz Trucks, used the show to announce that it was setting up a council of customers to help it deliver its future electrification strategy, with 30 of its key fleet purchasers invited to consult on everything from driveability to charging technology.

Swedish technology company Einride was also looking at heavy deliveries, with its driverless T-Pod rigid truck, which it has recently put into trial service in northern parts of its home country. The driverless deliveries are aimed at grocery stores and temperature-controlled applications.

Ford announced plans to develop a Transit-sized self-driving autonomous van which it aims to have ready in prototype form for customer trials by 2021.

Honda also announced a fully autonomous prototype, in the form of a search and rescue ATV, designed to travel across dangerous or inhospitable terrain that would otherwise put the driver’s life in peril. The off-road concept uses GPS and sensors to plan and navigate its way across tricky terrain, and could be used to come to the aid of similarly GPS-equipped climbers or explorers in emergency situations.

Mercedes-Benz, meanwhile, exhibited its Urbanetic van, with interchangeable bodies designed for different applications, including one concept that could be used as a commuter bus at peak travel times and a delivery van for the rest of the day.

In the passenger transport sector, automotive technology company Bosch revealed a fully autonomous shuttle bus called the IOT, which not only drives itself but uses algorithms to connect ride-sharing passengers with its own route planning software, which could feasibly remove the need for conventional bus routes. The user simply waves their device with the app installed and an IOT bus is summoned to collect them.

Continental, also a major automotive technology supplier, joined the autonomous bandwagon, with the CUBE – Continental UrBan Mobility Experiment. The CUBE is a 10-seater self-driving pod that is already undergoing passenger trials in Frankfurt, Germany.

Powertrain and transmission specialist ZF, meanwhile, gave prime billing to its E.GO Mover, which is already on sale. The box-shaped autonomous minibus is capable of Level 4 autonomous drive, but to get around European legislation the company is building 400 E.GOs with separate controls and steering wheels to develop the technology for larger scale production. The Mover can carry 15 passengers, 10 seated and five standing.

But it wasn’t just future technology that made its debut at CES, with the show also seeing the world debut of the new Ford Ranger double cab and the JEEP Gladiator Rubicon pick-up.

15 January 2019

The Park and Ride facility in the Surrey town of Guildford has gone electric following the delivery of nine new BYD ADL 10.8m buses.

As well as the buses themselves, the BYD ADL partnership has also supplied the Park and Ride’s operator, Stagecoach South, with the necessary charging equipment for the pure electric fleet.

The nine buses will connect three car parks and a leisure centre with the town centre, operating six days a week, with service frequencies of between 10 and 15 minutes.

The Guildford buses are built to the new BYD ADL provincial spec, previewed at Euro Bus Expo in November 2018 and feature a single door and 36 seats.

Arthur Whiteside, ADL’s Managing Director for UK Sales, said: “We are delighted to support Stagecoach South and Surrey County Council in their introduction of clean, zero emission buses. With passenger-centric interiors and excellent onboard amenities, they will further enhance the attractiveness of Guildford as a destination and place of employment in the regional economy.”

BYD’s UK Country Manager, Frank Thorpe, added: “The entry into service of these vehicles means that our joint enterprise has now supplied advanced electric buses to the majority of the major bus operating groups in the UK and, as with all of our customers, we have been able to provide much more than the bus. Our knowhow has assisted in the provision of the necessary infrastructure, including BYD-built chargers”.

15 January 2019

One of the UK’s biggest food distribution companies has renewed 40 of its trailers, opting for lightweight semi-chassis units to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy.

NFT Distribution has procured the tri-axle reefer trailers from Schmitz Cargobull, with the trailers being imported from Germany.

The new units feature a light and robust semi-chassis, which weighs significantly less than a full chassis trailer. This increases payload potential, offering operational benefits and reducing NFT’s impact on the environment through the ability to transport more in one journey. In addition, a heavy-duty, self-supporting floor means the trailers sit 85mm lower than traditional units helping to reduce drag and further cut fuel consumption.

The trailers have also been specified with aerodynamic body kits, including side skirts and roof diffusers, because they will be used primarily for motorway work.

David Seaton, NFT Distribution Fleet Engineer, says: “Schmitz Cargobull’s trailers are robust, reliable and cost-effective so will reduce downtime for us, and the light chassis and extra body kits will really help us reduce fuel use and emissions. We’ll be running these trailers for eight years, so the benefits will definitely add up in cutting our carbon footprint.”

Established more than thirty years ago, NFT specialises in food and drink distribution and warehousing and delivers 130,000 pallets into UK grocery retailers each week.