Together with DB Schenker, Volta Trucks has finished the first test phase of its Zero electric truck.

The truck manufacturer worked with the operator on evaluations in Paris.

Specifically, the duo used a prototype Zero in real distribution environments in the French city.

The partnership between Volta Trucks and DB Schenker is built on a 1,500-strong order for vehicles. 

In fact, it’s the largest order for medium-duty electrified trucks in Europe to date.

Voltas will be used by DB Schenker’s European terminals to transport goods from distribution hubs to city centres. 

However, the two companies will explore further potential uses of the technology.

When in production, the rollout of the vehicles will begin at 10 locations in five countries.

DB Schenker’s Cyrille Bonjean explained why the first test phase was an important moment.

“We have been in close contact and continued to drive the development of the vehicle forward together,” said Bonjean.

“It was great to see the result live on the streets of Paris.”

Continuing, Bonjean said the first pilot vehicles would be added to the fleet at the beginning of 2023.

Meanwhile, Essa Al-Saleh, CEO of Volta Trucks, reinforced the partnership between it and the truck operator.

“When we announced [the order], we also entered into a partnership to work together to decarbonise urban logistics. 

“The first use of a full-electric Volta Zero in a real-world testing environment is a significant proof point of the depth of the collaboration.”

He said the arrival of Volta Zero trucks on the streets of Paris was “extremely exciting”. 

Furthermore, Al-Saleh commented that is was “a great forerunner to us delivering significant volumes of customer trucks at scale in the near future”.

Volta Trucks is one of a number of disruptive commercial vehicle manufacturers entering the market.

In 1987, owner-driver Jim O’Doherty bought his first ever truck – a Volvo FL10 fitted with a Thompsons body. 

Now, 35 years later, another 18 Thompsons-bodied Volvos have just joined his business, J.O’D Group. 

A dozen of the trucks will join the company’s core haulage business working out of Edmonton in North London.

The remaining six, therefore, will run with subsidiary company Widdington Recycling Ltd based in Essex.

The new additions might appear similar to their predecessors, but a closer look at the Thompsons body highlights the advances.

For example, the original Loadmasters included double–skinned steel side panels and front cornerposts. 

However, these features are now largely unnecessary in Thompsons’ latest product updates. 

Meanwhile, advanced materials technology makes the steel used in today’s Loadmasters harder and stronger. 

As a result, body specifications can be improved and unladen weight reduced.

For J.O’D, all these benefits have come together in their own examples of the top-selling Loadmaster Lite.

Thompsons joint managing director, Scott Burton, said the steels really make a difference. 

“Only for exceptionally arduous work is the double skinned Loadmaster now really necessary,” he explained. 

“J.O’D’s tipper bodies are a perfect spec to handle the whole range of everyday tipper work. 

“Not having the full length, inner side panels saves at least 250kg.” 

Continuing, Burton said there was a further reduction of around 120kg by omitting front corner posts.

All 18 of J.O’D’s Loadmaster Lite bodies are of identical specification.

Therefore, they all boast the Thompsons AutoLoc tailgate and heavy-duty cabshield.

Not only that, but there’s electric sheeting, PM Onboard 4-point weighing and Edbro front end tipping gear. 

Of particular interest, a bespoke ‘nice and tidy’ closing plate to the rear end of the chassis. 

It has been fitted with strobe warning lights, twin rear facing work lights and a reversing camera.

As well as new vehicles, MAN Trucks launched SimplePay in Hannover – a digital platform to make life easier for drivers on the move.

Essentially, the truck becomes a ‘digital wallet’, therefore being able to complete everyday banking transactions. 

MAN says it is the first of the truck manufacturers to develop such a system, however it appears similar to a Mercedes-Benz announcement from last year.

The biggest benefits, it says, of SimplePay are complete transparency and simplification of payments.

It is the first step towards ‘a complete transaction ecosystem’ for different services, says the truck maker.

For example, MAN has partnered with BP for automated and contactless payments when refuelling.

In other words, the driver stays with the truck, saving time queueing in the filling station shop.

As well as the drivers, fleet managers are also set to benefit from SimplePay.

They have a real-time overview of the vehicles, thereby allowing them to control all costs and processes. 

As a result, administrative workloads are reduced, leading to improved efficiency within the business.

Meanwhile, from a technical point of view, the payment process takes place directly from the truck via its RIO Box. 

Digital payment processing is carried out by another partner, the payment processor Stripe. 

Finally, the cloud infrastructure is provided by Amazon Web Services (AWS). 

It will be possible to book MAN SimplePay via the MAN Marketplace – and the service is installed over-the-air on the selected trucks.

MAN says the the planned market launch for SimplePay will take place ‘as quickly as possible’. 

Further in the future, other services will be possible, for example, payment guarantees to workshops in the event of a breakdown.

Interestingly, the UK will be first to trial the technology by the end of the year.

After that, it will be introduced into the German market.

by john c

Volvo Trucks has released details of its latest electric rear axle that will help the company’s go further on battery power. 

The company already has a wide range of EVs, therefore this innovation will be welcomed by many.

Specifically, the new electric rear axle will enable Volvo trucks to travel up to 440km, depending on model.

In addition, it allows even more batteries on board a truck by integrating the electric motors and transmission in the rear axle.

More batteries mean longer range, thereby creating opportunities to provide electric solutions for even long-distance transport. 

For example, the technology will be relevant for forthcoming fuel cell electric trucks.

Here, the additional space will be welcomed for installing other components. 

Jessica Sandström, SVP global product management at Volvo Trucks, hailed the company’s innovation. 

“This is a breakthrough for electric trucks,” she said. 

“It’s a clear signal that there will be a huge demand for public fast-chargers for heavy trucks in the near future.”

Volvo Trucks will start serial production of cab over engine trucks with the new e-axle in the coming years.

Meanwhile, the Swedish manufacturer has confirmed the new models will complement the current line-up of battery electric trucks. 

“We will continue with our versatile battery electric trucks that are already in production,” continued Sandström. 

“They can currently cover a wide range of transport assignments. 

“In a few years, we will add this rear e-axle for all customers covering longer routes than today.” 

Volvo Trucks has a three-path strategy to reach zero emissions. 

Firsrtly, by using battery electric technology before fuel cell electric models. 

Finally, it will develop combustion engines that run on renewable fuels such as biogas. 

Concluding, Sandström said: “Different technical solutions are needed to tackle climate change. 

“The availability of energy and fuel infrastructure differs between transport assignments.”

Willmotts has demonstrated its commitment to safety through it’s latest investment in trucks through City West Commercials.

The West Country haulier has taken delivery of five Mercedes-Benz trucks with the latest MirrorCam technology.

In fact, the company is one of the first UK operators to have vehicles boasting the latest tech.

Specifically, Willmotts chose five Actros L BigSpace tractor units.

The business currently runs more than 100 trucks, therefore needs to ensure safety throughout the fleet.

Each of the vehicles is powered by a 12.8 litre engine with 476hp.

Not all of the trucks on the company’s fleet are from Mercedes-Benz.

However, with MirrorCam being such a prominent addition, it was a chance for Willmotts to show that commitment to safety.

The second-generation version of the technology was announced in May by Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

Therefore, it is now starting to appear on UK-registered vehicles.

In the latest version, the camera arms are 10cm shorter on both sides.

As a result they are less vulnerable to damage.

In addition, the housing design reduces the possibility of debris sticking to the lenses.

Technical developments, meanwhile, have further improved image quality and clarity.

Andy Tuck, Willmotts’ transport and compliance director, was clear about the company’s approach.

“We’ll never put all of our eggs in one basket when it comes to vehicle suppliers,” he said.

“However, City West Commercials was persistent in extolling the virtues of the Actros.”

Tuck added that drivers who drove Mercedes-Benz trucks were asking when they’d see the new Actros.

“The latest Actros is so very different,” observed Tuck.

“And that’s not only down to MirrorCam; the Multimedia Cockpit is also a radical departure.”

Concluding, Tuck revealed there was apprehension, but that didn’t last long.

“They were soon enthusing about how much more they can see with MirrorCam,” he said.

Haulier James Shaw & Son says it has benefitted from using Truckfile for vehicle maintenance recording.

The operator has seen efficiency rise thanks to reductions in time and hassle thanks to the new digital management systems.

The Merseyside-based operator now uses Truckfile packages to keep its fleet of 36 tractor units and 59 trailers safe and compliant.

In addition, the technology is vital to its in-house workshop, which is staffed by two technicians and a tyre fitter.

The move to digital management happened almost by chance, explained general manager, Chris Thompson.

“I was actually on the RHA website looking for some new defect reporting stationery, when I came across an advert for Truckfile.

“I dug a bit deeper and could see the potential for making our fleet compliance management much smoother.

“The cost seemed very competitive too so we decided to go for it and it’s one of the best things we’ve ever done.”

Thankfully, Truckfile’s Workshop Application quickly fulfilled all its promise, for example, improved efficiency.

“The best aspect for me is the visibility,” added Thompson.

“For example, every bit of information I need about all our vehicles is there on one screen,”

“Also, I can see which trucks need servicing, MOT testing, taxing or tachograph calibration.

“So I don’t have to go looking for anything, it’s all right there in front of me.”

Meanwhile, the benefits of systems from Truckfile stretch beyond the workshop staff.

“Drivers can do their daily checks with smartphones and don’t have to carry paperwork around with them,” says Thomspon.

“It’s also much easier for the office to keep track of all our trailers.”

Concluding, Thompson said: “The system records whenever one is collected or dropped off and the information is instantly accessible.’

With London’s Direct Vision Standard (DVS) in mind, CEMEX has invested in 10 tippers – all Volvo FM 460 8x4s.

The new trucks will be based at the operator’s Greenwich.

From there, they will all deliver aggregates and sand to construction sites across the capital.

Many attributes were key to Volvo winning the order, for example improved visibility.

In addition, the layout of the latest generation FM’s day cabs has been upgraded with safety in mind.

Nigel Ponton, national fleet engineer at CEMEX, welcomed the ten tippers from the Swedish brand.

“These are the first batch of Volvos we have had for several years,” he explained.

“However, the two businesses have a long tradition of working together.”

Continuing, Ponton revealed the duo have recently entered into a global procurement agreement.

The latest FM cab has raised A-pillars that give it up to one extra cubic metre of space and more light.

Meanwhile, a large windscreen, low door line and modern mirrors improves all-round visibility.

The addition of a window mounted low on the passenger door takes safety up another notch.

The ten tippers are all powered by Volvo’s D11K engine, with 460hp and up to 2,200Nm of torque.

In total, the FMs are all expected to clock-up around 80,000km a year.

Built on a 5,100mm wheelbase, the FMs have been specified with a high chassis to aid ground clearance on rough terrain.

Specifically, the tipper bodywork has been sourced from Wilcox.

“We’ve had these fleet additions specifically built with lightweight bodies to reach the 20- tonne payload,” said Ponton.

“That’s the golden number in the aggregate world for an 8×4 tipper.”

Finally, the 10 FMs are all covered by five-year Volvo Gold Contracts.

All servicing and maintenance work, therefore, will be carried out by MC Truck & Bus in Thurrock.

by john c