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,

Wrexham-based, Rockrite Haulage Ltd - trading as Eco-Readymix - have purchased their first-ever Volvo truck from Thomas Hardie Commercials.

The newly-formed ‘environmentally aware’ business, which supplies ready-mixed concrete, mortar and floor screed across Wales and the Northwest of England, aims to become the most environmentally conscious ready-mix company in the UK.

The newly-formed ‘environmentally aware’ business, which supplies ready-mixed concrete, mortar and floor screed across Wales and the Northwest of England, aims to become the most environmentally conscious ready-mix company in the UK.

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.