IAA Commercial Vehicles 2018
The 67th IAA Commercial Vehicles show at Hannover, Germany, lived up its aspiration of being an important event for transporters, logistics players, those involved in the mobility space.
The 67th IAA Commercial Vehicles show at Hannover, Germany, lived up to the aspiration of being the world's most important event for transporters, logistics players, those in the mobility space, and those connected with the CV industry.
Held under the theme, ‘Driving tomorrow’, the 67th IAA Commercial Vehicles show at Hanover lived up to the aspiration of being the world’s most important trade fair for transport, logistics and mobility. Reflecting significant change in the transport, logistics and mobility space, the show, organised by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), attracted 2,174 exhibitors from 48 countries. Marking a considerable rise in participation over the 2016 edition, the 2018 edition was spread over an area of 282,000 sq. m. Conveying a message of electromobility, the expo hosted 435 world premieres, roughly 31 per cent more than the 2016 edition. A biennial show that attracted a high number visitors, and despite the inclement weather (it were hot during the first few days, and rainy and stormy in the later days), the 67th IAA Commercial Vehicles show, for the first time has cargo ebikes on the stands. They are looked upon as a provider of smart, environmentally friendly and affordable solution for last mile transportation. The innovation trend of digitisation was also quite evident at the expo with producers of trucks and buses, trailers and various other systems highlighting the same. Almost all – large, medium-sized and smaller suppliers were found to highlight the development of digital technologies. At the forefront especially were the telematics providers in good numbers.
Positioning itself as a marketplace for experts in the commercial vehicle sector, the proportion of trade visitors was well over 80 per cent, many of them decision-makers. The 67th IAA Commercial Vehicles show played an effective platform for a good number of purchasing agreements. One logistics company, according to industry sources, bought 2,500 trucks from three manufacturers. Yet anther company, said sources, bought 1,000 trailers! Offering a platform for the automotive industry and new target groups like technology firms, mobility providers, startups and digital businesses to meet one another, the show also witnesses the coming together of highranking representatives from politics, academia and society for discussions of the future of mobility. The show also turned out to be an effective platform for presenting of innovations, and to make the mobility of tomorrow something that can be experienced.
MAN
Under the motto ‘Simplifying Business’, MAN Truck & Bus AG unveiled the MAN eTGE, a battery-electric version of the new MAN van, and a fully electric distribution truck, the MAN eTGM. One of the first manufacturers to present fully electric solutions for the entire field of city logistics between 3.5 and 26-tonnes, MAN premiered a concept etruck called the CitE. Full of new ideas and creative solutions, the 15-tonne CitE took 10 months to develop. Presenting an uncompromising design for inner city distribution transport, the concept etruck has an unusually low entry height and wide doors. The codriver’s door opens at the press of a button. The cockpit is ergonomically perfect, and presents the driver an excellent panoramic view due to a low seat position and large side windows. Employing a 360-degree camera system to provide the greatest possible level of safety and to eliminate dangerous blind spots, the CitE has a range of 100 kilometres.
Forming development partnerships with locations including Munich, Hamburg, Wolfsburg and Luxembourg to allow daily experiences to be incorporated into series development, MAN unveiled a close-to-series prototype of the MAN Lion’s City E. The ebus is driven by a central motor on the driven axle, which clears good amount of space for optimised seating area at the rear. Four additional seats could be had thus. The batteries of the ebus are crash-proof. Located on the roof to save space, they allow for a range of up to 270 kms, and can be charged in just three hours. Transforming itself to become a supplier of intelligent and sustainable transport solutions, MAN is offering its customers digital solutions under the name, ‘MAN DigitalServices’. It is working on a digital technology initiative that will allow MAN customers to receive real-time and location-independent insights into vehicle data and analyses derived from it.
Entering the van business last year, MAN showcased the eTGE 4.140 full electric concept with a range of around 160 kms and a payload of one to 1.75-tonnes depending on type approval. The eTGE is powered by electrical components that have already proven successful in mass production. The 36 kWh battery loses 15 per cent of its capacity after around 2,000 charging cycles with appropriate care. Individual modules consisting of six or twelve cells can also be replaced separately. The 264 lithium-ion HV cells are stored underneath the slightly raised load floor, which is constructed in the same way in the rear-wheel drive body version with a diesel engine. A permanently activated synchronous motor is used for the drive system. The three-phase motor is mounted right at the front; on the drive axle in combination with a single-speed gearbox. This provides a maximum of 100 kW of power. Around 50 kW is delivered in continuous operation.
Scania
Scania unveiled a plug-in hybrid electric truck (PHEV) based on its new generation truck platform. The PHEV and its sibling, Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) truck are set to be introduced in the short-term, and could use Scania Zone, a new service to assist transport companies and their drivers to adhere to local regulations by linking policies such as speed limits, emission restrictions and noise limitations to geo-fencing zones in Scania Fleet Management to facilitate seamless compliance with emissions and speed regulations in certain zones. The PHEV and HEV are powered by Scania’s DC09 in-line five cylinder engine that can run on HVO (Hydro treated Vegetable Oil) or diesel, working in parallel with an electric motor generating 177 hp and 1,050 Nm. The lithium-ion rechargeable battery’s energy window is set to 7.4 kWh to secure a long battery life. The trucks can be driven in fully electric mode without any support from the combustion engine, thanks to electric auxiliaries for steering and brake air supply. Apart from a LNG powered truck, Scania displayed the flagship R and S-Series trucks. On display was a 450 hp 8x4 truck from the versatile XT range, tailored for construction tasks; the L-series from the newly-launched urban range, with unmatched visibility for challenging city traffic; the CrewCab fire truck; and a forestry truck.
Scania premiered an interlink medium decker coach for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) operations for a range of up to 1,000 kms. With LNG becoming increasingly available in Europe, the Scania interlink medium decker coach is aimed at inter-city operations with a potential to reduce CO2 emissions by 20 per cent. Capable of also substantially reducing nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions, the bus adds to Scania’s alternate fuel bus and coach line-up, which comprises of the Scania Citywide LE Suburban hybrid and the Scania Interlink High Decker powered by HVO. Scania also showcased its battery electric Citywide low-floor bus, which is presently found on routes in the Swedish city of Östersund.
Daimler
Showcasing about 70 vehicles, Daimler also held an experience event at Hanover Airport for journalists on the sidelines of IAA 2018. The highlight was the unveiling of the new Actros truck with trailblazing innovations that immediately pay for themselves. A special edition of the new Actros, the ‘Edition 1’, will amount to 400 numbers only, and comes with numerous extras that offer maximum comfort and safety to the driver. Incorporating selected design features that give the vehicle a high recognition factor, the Edition 1 features MirrorCam and Active Brake Assist 5. The Active Drive Assist makes semi-automated driving possible. The improved Predictive Powertrain Control not only allows significant fuel savings, it relieves the driver of some of the workload on overland routes. As in the standard model, the new, intuitively controlled multimedia cockpit brings innovative functionalities into the cab. Offering optional features like four additional LED long-range headlamps and an exclusive paint finish on the maintenance flap and front-end flap, the Edition 1 comes with an illuminated Mercedes-Benz star with a black facing and six decorative mesh inserts with a darkened head lamp surround for higher recognition. The Edition 1 is said to reflect on the leading position of the new Actros, which is available in two and three-axle models with GigaSpace and BigSpace cab, in left and righthand drive. The more conventional eActros includes eleven battery packs inside and below the chassis, with a usable total capacity of 240 kWh. Drive comes from electric motors close to the wheel hubs with a maximum output of 2x126 kW. The additional weight of approximately 2.5-tonnes compared with conventional drive is partly offset by the increase in the permissible gross vehicle
weight in the EU of one-tonne for trucks with alternative drive systems. The range of the eActros is around 200 kms.
In the van space, Daimler unveiled a MercedesBenz Vision ‘Urbanetic’ concept. It is revolutionary in the way it goes beyond existing autonomous vehicle ideas. Elminating the separation between movement of people and goods, the concept van reduces traffic flows, relieves city-centre infrastructures and contributes to a new quality of urban life. Set to become a reality in the not too distant future, the concept, developed in close association with BASF, is based on an autonomous, electrically powered driving platform embedded in a self learning IT infrastructure. As a ridesharing vehicle, Vision Urbanetic can carry up to twelve passengers (the cargo module can accommodate up to ten EPAL palettes). Offering a load length of 3.7 m in an overall vehicle length of 5.14 m, the concept also incorporates an IT infrastructure that analyses supply and demand within a defined mobility space.
Announcing that it would invest in US-based Proterra Inc., which is a a leader in North America for electric buses for local transport, Daimler unveiled a new, allelectric Mercedes-Benz eCitaro city bus with innovative thermal management, a battery capacity of 243 kWh and seating space for up to 88 passengers. Expected to completely replace the combustion engine with unique battery technology and fuel cells as a range extender, the city bus is an integral part of the emobility system at Daimler Buses, which supports transport operators with everything from in-depth advice, an intelligent charging management system and the training of their employees through to the provision of specific services. The Bus of the Year jury consisting of international trade journalists from 22 countries, voted the Mercedes-Benz Citaro hybrid bus as the ‘Bus of the Year 2019’. Albiet away from the Daimler main product lines was the BharatBenz MDT 1617R displayed with a parcel body.
Volvo
Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Volvo FH model, Volvo Trucks showcased a gas-powered FH Series truck that emits 20 per cent less than a conventional FH. The LNGpowered truck is claimed to provide the same performance and operating range as its diesel equivalent. The Swedish CV major also displayed the FE and FL Electric, which will go on sale in Europe next year. The FL and FE Electric are designed to take up to 27-tonnes, and can drive nearly 125 miles on a single charge. The FE Electric has two motors that come with a maximum power of 370 kW, and a Volvo two-speed transmission. The energy storage is through lithium-ion batteries, which can hold 200-300 kWh. The technology is shared with Volvo’s line of electric buses, where more than 4,000 units have been sold till date. Volvo Truck is betting on electric trucks with a belief that they will pave the way for more sustainable freight movement within urban boundaries. For duties like municipal waste removal, for example. Volvo used the show as a platform to highlight its driverless electric concept Vera. A unique concept that could radically change the whole perception of transport, the
Vera combines electromobility, connectivity, and is autonomous. Suitable for regular and repetitive goods transport over short distances, the Vera has a fifth wheel coupling but no cab.
Volvo Buses unveiled an all-new platform for tourist and line-haul coaches. The platform includes the luxurious Volvo 9900 and the versatile Volvo 9700. Both feature a dynamically designed exterior with crisp lines, smooth sides and rounded corners to give low air resistance. The new ‘Z-shaped’ side window line along with the sloping theatre floor of the 9900 marks a new design language for coaches. The 9900 offers an extra-high floor level and large glass panels for exceptionally good views. The interior roof is eight-cm higher. The 9700 is available with a wide variety of equipment alternatives for medium range line-haul or premium tour and charter operations. Providing passengers a high-quality travel experience Volvo , the 9700 comfortable and pleasant. The lower centre of gravity makes driving the buses easier. The bus displays high stability and manoeuvrability. If the Volvo dynamic steering contributes, the 9700 and 9900 feature a comprehensive suite of solutions for active and passive safety, including more robust front impact protection (FIP) and a Driver Alert system that monitors the vehicle’s movements and issues alerts if the driver is tired or not concentrating on the road. Volvo Buses also displayed the 7900 Electric Hybrid (plug-in hybrid) and an OppCharge station for quickcharging of the vehicle’s battery pack.
Demonstrating multifunctional transport solutions for various types of business, industry, passenger transportation, vehicles for business and travel in extreme road conditions, GAZ showcased GAZelle Next Euro6 light commercial vehicle, Sadko Next off-road truck, Ural 6x4 road truck, YMZ-534 Euro6 engine and the ‘GAZ Connect’ digital telematics platform that allows monitoring of over 50 different parameters of vehicle systems, and tracking of vehicle location in real time. The ‘GAZ Connect’ also offers over 100 online services through mobile application or website. Displaying the 25-seater Vector Next bus with a Euro6 170 hp engine, and a low-floor LiAZ-5292 bus with 101 passenger capacity for urban transit operations, with a 260-312 hp YMZ 536 gas six-cylinder engine, GAZ also showcased the Gazelle Next range of light-duty trucks and vans. The Ural Next range proved to be the highlight.
Named after the famous Ural mountains in Russia, the Ural Next trucks are found in the form of a 16-tonne dump truck, 16-tonne bulk cargo truck, and a tanker for transportation and short-term storage of food and liquids among others. The range also comprises of a 19-tonne special application truck, which is aimed at construction, road, farming and other industries. Found in the form of a defense application truck for carriage of troops and materials, and a tractor-trailer for diverse applications with a GVW of up