Seven of the best at Transpotec Logitec 2024!

1. DAF

DAF’s stand centred around three concepts: sustainability, safety and comfort – and the stars of the show were the New Generation DAFs. As background, some time ago, the European Commission introduced new mass and dimension regulations with the objective to push the boundaries in terms of both emissions (CO₂), traffic safety and driver comfort. DAF was the first of all European truck manufacturers to introduce a full new generation of trucks featuring a highly attractive and very aerodynamic design, using the additional freedom offered by the new legislation. The New Generation DAF was awarded International Truck of the Year 2022, the most prestigious accolade in the truck industry.

DAF also displayed a CF Electric chassis with a third steering axle, which offers the joint benefits of both efficiency and eco-sustainability.

2. Daimler

The eActros 600 was the focal point of Daimler's stand at the Transpotec Logitec exhibition. The truck's battery has a high capacity (over 600kWh, hence the name of this model). This, combined with the new electric axle that incorporates the two electric motors, the inverter and an efficient four-speed transmission, allows the truck to travel up to 500 kilometres without intermediate charging.

By 2030, emission-free vehicles will represent up to 60% of the group's total sales in Europe with the ultimate goal of achieving zero-emission road transport by 2050.

3. Iveco

The Transpotec Logitec exhibition was home turf for Iveco and the Italian brand had a large stand at the fair. There were celebrations all round as the company commemorated an 11% increase in registrations in Italy in January to April 2024 (versus the same period last year).

There were lots of interesting trucks on the company’s substantial stand but, for us, the most attractive was the funky Metallica Iveco (we’ve seen it a number of times before, but we still think it is mighty cool). Last year, the company announced that it would support the band during the European leg of its M72 World Tour, from May to July 2024. Iveco electric and natural gas trucks and minibuses will join the Metallica caravan, transporting the band and their equipment to their concert locations in Munich, Helsinki, Milan, Copenhagen, Warsaw and Madrid.

4. MAN

MAN hosted the first press conference at the Transpotec Logitec exhibition, and we were treated to the world premiere of the TGE Next Level. It features an incredible 27 assistance systems, of which 11 are completely new. The TGE Next Level also comes with many new comfort features – such as a new dashboard with digital instrumentation and a large MAN Media Van touch display for controlling the vehicle functions and the infotainment system.

Also on display on the MAN stand, of course, was the company’s much-revered eTruck. Significantly, MAN has announced that the so-called “performance period” for the batteries is up to 1.6 million kilometres or up to 15 years, depending on the type of application.

5. Renault

Renault Trucks Italia presented the 100%-electric E-Tech T and E-Tech C for the first time in Italy. The E-Tech T is suited to regional transportation while the E-Tech C is a construction truck. The trucks can be equipped with three types of power take-off (PTO): electric, electromechanical or gearbox.

With a permissible gross weight of up to 44 tonnes, the Renault Trucks E-Tech T and C are available in 4x2 and 6x2 tractor versions. The trucks can be equipped with two or three electric motors developing a combined power of up to 490kW (660hp).

6. Scania

While Scania is launching more and more battery electric vehicles – and, of course, it had an example of this technology on its stand – it was interesting to see the company also promote the use of HVO and LNG at Transpotec 2024. Clearly, Scania believes that the internal combustion engine still has merit!

As Enrique Enrich, Chairman and CEO of Italscania, noted: “For Scania, efficiency and sustainability don’t just mean electric or hybrid solutions.” Accordingly, the new Super, which features Scania’s most advanced and efficient combustion engine powertrain ever, had pride of place at the fair. It offers operators an 8% improvement in fuel consumption (over previous trucks with internal combustion engines).

7. Volvo

The stars of the Volvo stand at Transpotec Logitec 2024 were the Volvo FH Aero 4x2 truck tractor – which can be powered by diesel/biofuels (including HVO) – and the FH Aero Electric 4x2 truck tractor.

The former has a 13-litre turbo compound engine (power 500hp, torque 2800Nm). The electric truck, on the other hand, has 490kW (666hp) of continuous power. It has a range of up to 350km. It takes two hours to charge the truck to 100% (using fast charging DC 250kW).

Volvo tells us that the Aero range is capable of reducing energy consumption and emissions by up to 5%. Sounds like a plan!