A pressure group that represents the temperature-controlled sector has called on the European Union to allow a 20cm increase in trailer lengths. Transfrigoroute believes that cold air is currently unable to properly circulate around pallets in a regular trailer, leading to hot spots in the load which potentially pose a hazard to health, especially when foods and medicines are involved.

Several trials of longer trailers are currently taking place on the Continent, with trailers of up to 15 metres being used in some member states.

Truck and trailer rental specialists, Hill Hire plc., has taken delivery of a number of new Renault trucks to meet increasing demand from its customers. In an important conquest deal, the vehicles were supplied by Renault Trucks distributor, JDS Trucks.

Of particular satisfaction to Hill Hire has been the recent success with refrigerated and ambient product distributor, Funstons, which has taken delivery of 10 new 6x2 Renault Premium 450 tractor units on a five year contract. The 44 tonne, Euro 4 trucks, with the Optidriver automated gearbox, are the first Renaults to join Funstons' 70-strong mixed fleet of Mercedes, DAF, Scania and MAN vehicles.

The Volvo Museum in Gothenburg, which is run jointly by AB Volvo and Volvo Car Corporation, recently re-opened after being extensively refurbished and extended since its original opening 13 years ago.

Visitors are now welcomed by a new façade made entirely of glass, but once inside they are struck by the contrast between the old and the new. The latest acquisition - a gigantic Volvo VN780 built in Virginia, USA, - stands side-by-side with the very first Volvo truck, the LV40, which rolled out of the plant in 1928.

Last year, the museum attracted almost 52,000 visitors, around 60 per cent of whom came from outside Sweden. As this museum can only be described as a jewel in Volvo's crown, we are now hoping to welcome many more visitors, says Sten-Åke Lyngstam, the museum curator for the past year.

Following its refurbishment, the museum now has a cafeteria, gift shop and even the opportunity to hold a conference in one of the newly equipped lecture rooms.

Hydrogen-powered trucks and vans could soon become a reality, thanks to a British technology company. ITM Power, based near Saffron Walden, Essex, has unveiled a converted Ford Focus, which runs on hydrogen, but can switch back to petrol if the hydrogen supply is exhausted.

The firm has also developed a home refuelling station, capable of producing the gas from water and electricity. ITM's demonstration vehicle, which has completed successful urban commuting trials, can travel 25 miles

An ITM spokesman says: "Although the initial demonstration vehicle is a car, vans and trucks will also be able to use the new fuel system to give CV operators huge potential cost savings on delivery journeys, as well as further reducing CO2 emissions

Iveco has delivered 10 diesel-electric hybrid daily vans to FedEx Express for trial routes between Milan and Turin.

Iveco anticipates operation systems, such as launching in electric mode and using a Stop & Start ignition, will reduce C02 emissions by up to 15 tonnes a year. Annual fuel consumption is expected to fall by 6,000 litres. FedEx Express will also trial the technology in other European cities, including Paris.

Continued strong demand is keeping trucks in the spotlight, according to the latest registration figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Registrations for trucks were up 21.6% in June compared with 2007, and up 22.9% to 58,288 for the rolling year. This contrasted to a 5.7% fall in monthly van sales compared with last year, although sales for the rolling year remain up 2.5% at 337,294.

Two-axle artics were the biggest monthly winners, up 98.3% on June 2007,although the rolling year increase was 14.8%. Sales of three-axle artics increased 32.3% in June over last year, and are up 28.3% for the rolling year. Overall registrations were down 2.3% in June, but up 5.1% on the rolling year to 395,582.

"Healthy truck orders suggest steady demand for some time, while van registrations have stabilised at record levels," says SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt. The biggest loser in the van segment was pickups. Sales in June fell 48.3% on the same month last year.

A huge consultation process is currently taking place over the proposed congestion charge for Manchester. Business people are being invited to a series of events in the city over the next few weeks and a detailed consultation brochure is being sent to more than 1.2 million households and firms.

Manchester is set to introduce the charge, which is tied to a £2.8bn investment in its bus, tram and rail networks,

A prototype Volvo truck with a 13-litre engine that runs on the alternative fuel dimethyl ether (DME) will be tested on public roads in Sweden next year. Volvo wants to put 14 of the new truck engines through their paces under normal operating conditions. The tests will take place in Gothenburg, Stockholm, Pita and Vaxjo and will continue until 2012.

The tests are part of a wider European project to assess the practicality

DME is an LPG-like synthetic fuel, which can be made from a byproduct of the process of making paper pulp. Volvo believes that DME has the greatest potential among the alternative fuels it has examined, although there are challenges. One is that DME has a lower lubricity than diesel, which means extra wear for moving parts. DME is relatively cheap, has high energy efficiency and low emissions.

Heads turned last Friday (4th July) when an unusual delivery took place through busy Stockholm streets as the latest Ericsson Volvo Open 70 yacht was hauled by Volvo Trucks' new flagship Volvo FH16.

Ericsson is putting a massive effort into the Volvo Ocean Race. For us organisers it feels good to be able to assist with the transportation of their yacht. It is also a great opportunity for us to show off our brand new truck, says Christina Ohlsson-Jones, responsible for the Volvo Ocean Race at Volvo Trucks.

Ericsson has built both their yachts at a special boat yard next to their Head Office at Kista, Sweden. The first boat left Sweden some time ago and is going through tough sailing and tests at sea off Lanzarote, where Ericsson has established a training camp for its two crews. The new boat, Ericsson 4, left the boat yard at Kista last Friday and will now be put in the water in Stockholm.

DAF TRUCKS reveal from their records that in 1977, a typical maximum capacity truck, running at 32 tonnes gross, carrying a payload of 20.5 tonnes on a 320km journey used 130 litres of diesel and put out 16.7kg of CO2 per tonne of payload. Including a statutory 45 minute break, the journey took six hours and ten minutes.

In 2007, a maximum capacity truck running at 44 tonnes gross, carrying a payload of 29.5 tonnes on the same journey used 103 litres of diesel and emitted 9.2kg of CO2 per tonne of payload. Including the same statutory break, the journey took four hours and 15 minutes.

In summary, the 2007 truck used 21% less diesel, carried 30% more payload, emitted 21% less CO2, meaning a CO2/t/km saving of 45%. The truck emitted 96% less particulates and 87% less NOX. It was also 33% quicker although working within a lower maximum speed limit.

The modern truck also produced 1/12th of the noise of the older model.

The starter’s gun has gone off for the world’s largest competition for service and workshop personnel and the organiser Volvo Trucks hopes for record participation as last time the biennial competition attracted more than 12,000 participants from about 70 countries.

VISTA is a team competition for all aftermarket personnel within Volvo Trucks’ global service network. Mechanics, technicians, parts personnel, customer receptionists and all other employees within the Volvo Trucks and Volvo Bus aftermarket organisations are welcome to take part.

The aim of the competition is to develop the expertise of in-house personnel and to enhance the status of the mechanic’s and service technician’s professions.

The teams compete in practical and theoretical tasks, where both technical know-how about trucks and buses as well as commercial know-how about warranty and parts issues are in focus. Co-operation and teamwork in all the competition’s rounds are necessary in order to succeed.

Truck drivers calling for a rebate on fuel taxes converged on London Wednesday for escorted, "go-slow" trips through the city, observers said.

Truck drivers gathered on a closed section of road, while police escorted groups of 20 at a time on protest drives through central London using a route that included crossing Westminster Bridge, The Times of London reported.

"The government have got to cut the fuel duty. All this is down to (Prime Minister) Gordon Brown, and he is pulling (Chancellor of the Exchequer) Alistair Darling's strings," truck driver Robin Edmunds told The Times.

After a series of slow-go protests, the action Wednesday is the first that was supported by the Road Haulage Association, the Transportation Association and TransAction 2007, the Times reported.

"If ever there was positive proof that ours is an industry in crisis then this surely must be it," said RHA National Chairman Andy Boyle.

European market leader, Schmitz Cargobull AG says that in its last financial year ,trailer production rose by 30% to over 66,500 and turnover jumped from 1.685bn to some 2.14bn. Speaking to journalists recently at a pre-IAA briefing, Bernd Hoffman, chairman said the firm's next 'strategic goal' is an annual production of 100,000 vehicles and a turnover of more than 3bn. The overall production rate from the firm's nine European plants was over 350 a day. Hoffman says economic growth continues to drive demand throughout Europe. In the new EU countries consumption and new production facilities are keeping the transport industry busy, with Russia's economy and that of the bordering former Soviet republics growing rapidly, in part due to very high oil and gas-based income.

The U.S. government and the Swedish State intend to extend their co-operation with the Volvo Group regarding the development of alternative drivelines. The consequences of the extended co-operation include the US Department of Energy, DoE, and the Swedish Energy Agency providing a three-year grant to the Volvo Group in a combined amount of USD 18 M (£ 9.04m) for the development hybrid technology and drivelines for alternative fuels.

The co-operation will last for three years and is an extension of the one-year research and co-operation agreement signed between the Volvo Group and the Swedish and US governments in June 2007. The co-operation is aimed at reducing heavy vehicles' use of fossil fuels through research and development projects in the areas of energy efficiency, drivelines for alternative fuels and hybrid solutions.

To coincide with the launch of its new range of trucks, Volvo has announced the availability of an in-house designed merchandise collection. The range comprises more than one hundred items. From exclusive leather jackets to UV-safe baby clothing, bags and watches to other practical and lifestyle products. All the items will soon be available from Volvo Truck Dealers

To protect truck drivers against intrusions and robberies in their cabs, DAF has become the first truck manufacturer to introduce a night lock for the doors. It can be easily and quickly mounted to every DAF XF105.

DAF is renowned for being close to drivers and listening to their wishes and demands. Therefore, DAF carries out considerable research among drivers. One subject that continuously crops up in conversations with them, is the increasing amount of criminality that they encounter. Drivers are being increasingly attacked in their sleep with a view to robbing them or stealing the truck's cargo. For DAF this was a reason to develop a number of protective measures for the drivers.

Volvo has developed a completely new 11-litre engine for the tractor version of the Volvo FM. Its load capacity makes it ideal for weight-sensitive applications such as tanker and bulk transport in a move to attract customers to a new segment where Volvo sees growth potential.

Light weight and high performance
The new 11-litre engine is about 140 kgs lighter than the larger 13-litre D13 engine. This allows for high load capacity. The D11 engine also offers high performance and fuel efficiency.

Two power levels
The D11 engine is designed to meet both Euro 4 and forthcoming Euro 5 standards with the help of SCR exhaust gas treatment. It will be launched in two versions:

390hp and torque of 1880 Nm
430hp and torque of 2100 Nm

The engine provides a high power output at both low and high engine revs. Its economy range is between 1,050 and 1500 rpm, and 95 percent of the maximum torque is available within this range.

Attacks against truck drivers and their cargoes in the EU cost haulage firms several billion Euros every year. To help combat this risk, Volvo Trucks and Securitas are now jointly launching a new security system aimed at lowering the risk of theft, hijacking and other security threats.

Truck drivers and the goods they transport live dangerously on Europe's roads. This is shown in several recent surveys. Every year approximately 200,000 commercial vehicles are stolen, at a value of more than 7 billion (£5.6bn), as revealed in a survey carried out in 2007 on behalf of the European Parliament. At the same time, a survey by the International Road Transport Union (IRU) reveals that one in six truck drivers have been subjected to some form of attack in the past five years, with one-third having been attacked more than once. In 60 percent of the attacks, the main motive was the vehicle and its cargo, while 40 percent were directed at the drivers and their personal belongings. In addition, just over 40 percent of attacks took place at special parking places intended for trucks.

Now, in order to make the working day safer for commercial vehicle drivers and to protect their cargo from theft, Volvo Trucks and Securitas have launched a joint security venture called Security Service' which is based on Dynafleet' - Volvo's existing transport information system. Volvo Trucks is behind the development of the technology, while Securitas is responsible for actual operation of the system. 

This new security product will be available in production from June this year. It is very simple to activate; in the event of an emergency, the driver simply activates an alarm button inside his cab. A signal then goes to the Securitas call centre, which in turn contacts the haulage firm or the local police. The driver can also directly contact the call centre via his mobile phone.

Birmingham, April 15-17 2008

The Commercial Vehicle Show is Britain's largest and most successful road transport event. Since 2000 when the IRTE Show and Tipcon merged with the Commercial Vehicle Show, it has gone from strength to strength delivering more exhibitors and visitors every year. In 2008 the Show returns to the NEC to occupy halls 17 - 20 and 6 - 12. With a combined area of over 90,000 square metres, planning your exhibit or visit to it needs care.

Renault Trucks UK will be launching its new used vehicle service, Truckplus, at this year's CV Show, 15-17th April. Truckplus will replace the existing Renault Trucks Choice programme to bring the service in line with Renault Trucks' pan-european operation.

Details of all the used vehicles available from approved Renault Trucks distributors will be held on a central online system, providing customers with an easy to use, online method to search for and source used vehicles from the Renault Trucks network. From the 15th April, customers will be able to access the new Truckplus website at truckplus.co.uk.

Chris Sharp, Operations Manager, Used Vehicles, Renault Trucks UK, says: ?As one of the leading used vehicle brands currently in the market today, the re-branding of the Renault Trucks used vehicle programme to Truckplus will further enhance our brand in the used vehicle arena, as well as improving our standards and strengthening our commitment and offer to our customers. Truckplus allows all distributors of Renault Trucks used vehicles to share, together with the manufacturer, the passion for used vehicles in the UK marketplace.?

After the Volvo Group’s notable showcasing of carbon dioxide-neutral trucks in Gent, Brussels and Stockholm last year, it is now America’s turn.

In conjunction with the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC) arranged by the US State Department in Washington, DC the Volvo Group will later today present seven different trucks, all of which can be driven without any net contribution of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere.

During the conference, being held from March 4th–6th 2008, the Volvo Group will display seven different trucks - four Volvo FM’s, two Volvo VN’s and a Mack Pinnacle - which are equipped with engines specifically modified to operate with seven different renewable fuels or fuel combinations. At combustion in the vehicle, these fuels do not yield any net contribution of carbon dioxide to the eco-cycle and, consequently, do not affect the climate. In addition to the seven trucks, Mack will also display a hybrid electric vehicle.

The aim of WIREC is to highlight the global possibilities and challenges in the area of renewable energy. WIREC 2008 is the third global ministerial-level conference on renewable energy, following events in Beijing in 2005 and Bonn in 2004. Visitors at WIREC include government representatives from over 80 countries, politicians and interested parties from business and academia.

“The climate issue is global and one for which the transportation industry has a special responsibility,” says Volvo CEO Leif Johansson. “By participating in WIREC, we gain the opportunity to show the American public that the Volvo Group is not just part of the problem, it is also a part of the solution.”

In conjunction with the conference, the Volvo Group is arranging a seminar at which Volvo CEO Leif Johansson, Mack Trucks President Paul Vikner, Swedish Minister of Industry, Employment and Communications Maud Olofsson and Andy Karsner, U.S. Department of Energy’s Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy will participate.

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Scania will supply a total of 50 tourist coaches to Veolia Transport for use during the European Football Championship in June 2008. They will transport VIP guests invited by the participating national football associations.

The deal comprises 2- and 3-axle coaches of different lengths and heights with various locally adapted solutions for service and maintenance, as well as operational leasing in some cases. After Euro 2008, the vehicles will continue to operate for Veolia Transport in Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Norway and Switzerland.

“Deals like this prove Scania’s standing as a respected supplier of complete vehicles with comprehensive international service backup,” says Melker Jernberg, responsible for Scania Buses and Coaches. “With a total of more than 15,000 vehicles sold since 1991, the Scania Irizar Century is our most successful coach model ever.”

Veolia Transport, based in France, is Europe's leading private operator of public transportation. The company is well established in Europe, North America and Australia, operating mostly in the framework of public-private partnerships. Veolia’s passenger services are based on buses, light rail systems, metros, taxis, coaches, trains and ferries, including passenger information and trip management systems. Rail freight services with related logistics are provided for industries in Europe. Environmental solutions, including choice of energy, are developed jointly with customers.

Shell Lubricants has announced the launch its second annual Shell Technology Tour. The 2007 tour will visit 10 cities across the U.S. and is designed to update fleet customers about the latest industry changes including:
  •Bio-diesel fuels, ULSD update
  •2007 equipment changes and maintenance considerations
  •CJ-4 and synthetic oils update
  •Unique Shell fleet services including Lube VideoCheck and Shell Fleet Management Program.
  The audience at the Technology Tour will be made up of fleet professional including maintenance managers, service managers, mechanics and those responsible for equipment operation and maintenance. During the tour, Shell Lubricants distributors and sales representatives will be on hand to interact with attendees and address any questions.
   Shell invites anyone to attend one of the session. To request additional information on these events, e-mail info@shelltechtour.com.

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