1. UD Quester GWE 6×4
This truck was THE exhibit of the show for any South African – after all, we get this exact truck in our country. That’s because the heavy-duty Quester GWE 6x4 is designed exclusively for emerging markets, complying with Euro 5 emission regulations set by the European Union (EU). Equipped with the UD Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) system, the truck reduces harmful pollutants that are produced during combustion, helping address pollution concerns facing growing economies around the world.
Ten years have passed since the Quester was launched and it is currently operating in about 50 countries – including sunny South Africa! Incidentally, there was even a photograph of a South African flag in the cab, plus a (fictitious) pic of the driver and his family. Very cool.
2. Battery swapping
One of the big issues we all have with electric vehicles (EVs) is the charging time. With trucks, this is obviously especially worrisome – because a truck that’s not moving isn’t generating revenue. But what if you could just pop out the battery that has no capacity and replace it with a fully charged battery? This is a concept that was explored on two of the stands at the show: Isuzu and Fuso.
Isuzu unveiled its EVision Cycle Concept, a battery-swapping solution whereby everything is done automatically (from removal of the flat battery to the new battery installation) in about three minutes. Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, on the other hand, has decided to join forces with a company called Ample and collaborate on a battery-swapping pilot project using the newest eCanter model. Batteries can be automatically exchanged at Ample battery swapping stations, a process that is eventually targeted to take five minutes.
We saw the EVision Cycle Concept and the Fuso/Ample pilot project in action at the fair; they’re both super impressive.
3. Heavy-duty fuel cell trucks
Much like the battery-swapping concept, this was not exclusively seen on one stand. At least two companies – Hino and Isuzu – displayed heavy-duty fuel cell trucks on their stands, and it was interesting to see that – in both cases – they’re calling on partners for support instead of going it alone.
Let’s kick off with the Hino, which displayed its 25-tonne Hino Profia Z FCV Prototype. The company buddied up with Toyota to produce the truck, which has a large-capacity high-pressure (70 MPa) hydrogen tank, a Toyota fuel cell stack, a Lithium-ion battery and a range of about 600km. Hino would not divulge when the truck could be market-ready.
On the other hand, the GIGA Fuel Cell truck on Isuzu’s stand – also a 25-tonner – is planned to be on the road in 2027. While the show was its public reveal, Isuzu and Honda announced their intentions to work on the vehicle back in 2020. Since then, Isuzu has acquired UD Trucks, which will also provide its expertise when it comes to getting the truck market ready. It is equipped with four solid polymer 103kW Honda fuel cell stacks, a Lithium-ion battery, a hydrogen storage capacity of 56kg and a 320kW electric motor. Its range is up to 800km.
4. Daihatsu Uniform Truck
From 25-tonners to dinky toys… well, almost. Daihatsu’s Uniform Truck – which had its world premiere at the exhibition – isn’t quite a dinky toy (that honour may well go to its glorious little Me: MO, one of the most customisable cars on the planet). But – at a mere 3,395mm in length – the Uniform sure is quite a bit smaller than the heavy-duty fuel cell trucks. This bonsai commercial vehicle – which, of course, is electric – is designed to easily navigate narrow streets and congested areas. Such as Tokyo, for instance. Or maybe Cape Town.
The Uniform also comes in Cargo guise, and – dare we say it – it has a decidedly square shape. Which isn’t an entirely bad thing. Because, in this case, it’s definitely hip to be square…
