WORLD NEWS
Most will agree, keeping abreast of the latest heavy-duty truck innovations makes for better trucking business. As such, FleetWatch presents four European trucking news items that are of interest to the Southern African market, including a new 780hp biofuel engine, a new fuel cell development plant for truck drivelines, an AI-managed trailer brake system and an award-winning cab design. Enjoy!
Volvo Trucks releases new 100% biofuel 780hp engine
Due for release in July 2024, Volvo Trucks’ new D17 780hp engine powers the flagship FH16 range of 6×4 truck-tractors. The new D17 engine is certified to run on HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil), producing 7% more torque than its predecessor, with a CO2 saving of 5%.
The ability to run a diesel truck engine on biodiesel is no secret to South African truckers, with many local fleets currently using the renewable fuel in their modified truck engines. The stumbling block for these eco-fleets is the fact that truck engines modified for biodiesel generally forfeit their warranty. The launch of the D17 Volvo engine may well offer a warrantied and practical solution for green fleets in Southern Africa.
According to Jan Hjelmgren, head of Product Management and Quality at Volvo Trucks: “Our engineers have delivered an engine that combines the highest torque and power level in any European truck, with superior fuel efficiency. The facts speak for themselves – more torque and power with significant fuel and CO2 savings is a fantastic result. This means that our customers can carry out their assignments more efficiently and with higher productivity.”
Volvo’s new 17-litre Euro 6 engine comes with three power levels; 600hp, 700hp and 780hp. Torque levels have been increased to 3000Nm, 3400Nm and 3800Nm in the top version. The gearbox has been updated to handle up to 3800 Nm, and internal gearbox efficiency has been further improved on the 3000Nm and 3400Nm versions.
“This all-new fuel-efficient engine is one example of Volvo Trucks’ continuous strive to reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions from existing driveline technologies, in parallel to introducing new technologies,” Hjelmgren concludes.
New German fuel cell development plant for long-haul trucks
The quest for Net Zero will aggressively drive alternative truck driveline technology development for the next five years in order to meet UN Sustainability Goals. A leading fuel cell company based in Germany, cellcentric, has opened a production facility for fuel cell systems, working towards supplying fuel cells on a large scale by the end of the decade when fuel cell powered long-haul heavy-duty trucks are predicted to become a key technology for sustainable transportation.
Lars Johansson, chief commercial officer and chief organisational officer of cellcentric GmbH & Co. KG states: “Our company has a practical pilot product that has been successfully tested by Daimler Truck and Volvo Group in demanding field tests. cellcentric’s goal is to develop, produce and distribute fuel cell systems that achieve the best possible total cost of ownership (TCO) in the highly competitive transportation industry. In addition, cellcentric intends to cover the entire fuel cell ecosystem, from the product itself to maintenance and recycling at the end of its life cycle.”
Fuel cell technology is a well-proven solution for CO2-neutral long-distance heavy-duty transportation, says Johansson, however, “it has not yet been produced on an industrial scale, which is precisely the key to achieving economies of scale, optimising the total cost of ownership (TCO) and putting cellcentric in a solid competitive position in the long term.
“The company is planning an environmentally friendly return of the fuel cell systems at the end of their life cycle, in line with the company’s commitment to the highest possible level of sustainability in all corporate processes,” concludes Johansson.
New AI-managed trailer brake system from BPW cuts operating costs
If it’s a new technology, odds are it’s got artificial intelligence (AI) working away to enhance efficiencies. Evidently, the time for truck trailers and AI to join forces has arrived, thanks to BPW’s new iC Plus running gear generation that uses AI to analyse and help manage braking performance.
Equipped with idem telematics hardware, the BPW iC Plus facilitates the introduction of AI into the trailer. Intelligent algorithms detect data patterns in the running gear that among other things, indicate the need for maintenance of critical components.
According to Caren Freudenberg, product manager at BPW: “iC Plus informs the driver, fleet manager and dispatcher when the brakes need to be checked in the workshop. Causes can include a defective air hose, a sluggish brake calliper or a weakening spring on the cylinder. Essentially, typical maintenance and repair tasks are recognised by AI before expensive breakdowns or accidents can occur.
“The BPW system does not need separate sensors to analyse the braking performance, but instead accesses the data collected in the EBS. In addition to the brake lining wear sensors, the AI interprets the need for maintenance and repair in a differentiated manner in context. Temporary reaction patterns – triggered by a severe pothole, for example – are filtered out.
“Brake lining wear measurement is also tried and tested with iC Plus. It works with a sensor whose signals give the fleet manager sufficient flexibility to plan a workshop visit to change the brake lining.
“Together with idem telematics, BPW has created a new generation of running gear that makes both vehicle operation and the entire transport process more economical.”
Iveco S-Way cab wins design ‘Oscar’
The incessant pushing of the technology envelope to meet legislative and business imperatives in the trucking sector leaves little room for less ‘pressing’ concerns such as truck cab design aesthetics and ergonomics. But there is time enough for truck design flair and the celebration of it. This June, Iveco’s S-Way truck-tractor cab won the prestigious Red Dot Award: Product Design 2024, one of the world’s largest design competitions.
The Red Dot Award is one of the most sought-after recognitions in industrial design, awarded by a jury panel of about 40 international experts who meet annually to identify the year’s best products. The qualities judges take into consideration in their decision are the product’s functionality, its aesthetics, ease of use, sustainability and responsibility.
The Iveco S-Way cab impressed the judges with the quality of its aesthetically pleasing overall design, its exterior customisability and its ergonomic and stylish dashboard.
“We are delighted that the Red Dot Award jury recognised our Iveco S-Way customer-centric design, which effectively combines aesthetics, function and innovation,” says Marco Armigliato, head of Industrial Design, Iveco Group.
“The design of the front grille provides a premium feeling and a fully customisable colour combination gives our customers the opportunity to personalise their vehicle to match their fleet’s brand identity. Inside the cab, the driver and their activities shape the design of the driving and living space. Every element of the dashboard was carefully studied. For example, the graphic design of the Digital Cockpit was developed to ensure the best balance between cutting-edge aesthetics and optimal readability.”The award ceremony took place on 24 June at the Red Dot Museum in Essen, Germany. The Iveco S-Way will be featured in the Red Dot Design Yearbook and the winners’ area of the Red Dot Awards website. Its design will also be showcased in the exhibition at the Red Dot Design Museum Essen.
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