Highlights from Low Carbon Vehicle 2017 exhibition, Millbrook, 6-7 September08 September 2017

The Low Carbon Vehicle 2017 show at Millbrook Proving Ground, organised by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, provided the venue for several urban truck launches.

Iveco introduced a RHD version of its CNG-powered of its Eurocargo Natural Power medium (16-tonne) rigid. It was shown with three tanks mounted behind the cab – though they can also be mounted in the chassis – providing a 480-litre capacity to power its six-litre Tector Euro 6 engine for a range of 400km. The engine is said to be up to half the noise of a diesel. Maximum engine power is 201bhp at 150kW, and 750Nm from 1,400-1,800 rpm, connected either to a 9-speed manual gearbox or automatic transmission. Wheelbase ranges from 3.1-5.7m. It was showed next to the Stralis NP CNG tractor, and Iveco Daily Natural Power (running a natural gas engine) and Daily Electric panel vans.

A fully-electric 7.5-tonne Isuzu rigid is to enter whole vehicle type approval following the show. The N75 150 chassis has its diesel powertrain replaced with an electric motor and gearbox, power controller and battery pack from Sheffield-based Magtec. It is offered in two power ratings: 107 and 214bhp, and offer ranges of 80 and 160 miles, respectively, using the latest generation of lithium-ion batteries. Carrying capacity is 3.7 tonnes for the lower-powered model and 3.2 tonnes for the higher-powered version, in the Paneltex rigid storage unit. Also on show was a 26t Mercedes-Benz refuse collection vehicle, retrofitted with a full-electric Magtec driveline. It is part of an Innovate UK-funded project in Greenwich.

Another refuse collection vehicle on show was a Euro 6 DAF waste collection vehicle operated by Grundon Waste Management of Oxfordshire has been converted to hydrogen power by ULEMCo. It was fitted with canisters containing 10kg of hydrogen gas, which is supplied through the engine’s air intake, and is said to reduce the truck’s emissions by 40-50%. Most of the hydrogen operations are in low-speed applications. The company converted two Mercedes-Benz refuse collection vehicles in Fife, Scotland. The project is the company’s first DAF conversion, features a new modular design.

A mock-up of a cooling system for refrigerated vans being developed in an Innovate UK project (IDP 12) was on show. The group, consisting of bodybuilder Paneltex, heat battery manufacturer Sunamp, journey optimisation software Routemonkey and Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership, aims to develop a means of cooling an electric van’s insulated payload bay to -20ºC for frozen, or to +5 ºC for chilled foods, without drawing on the vehicle’s battery during operation. The key system is a rechargeable chemical battery that uses mineral salt phase change to store, and release, heat. At the same time, waste heat generated by the process is used to warm the cabin. In final form it will be installed on a Fiat eDucato panel van.

Also on show was the Oxbotica last-mile autonomous delivery truck, CargoPod, currently undergoing trials in Greenwich. TRL (Transport Research Laboratory) leads the study, part of the GATEway project (Greenwich Automated Transport Environment), that also includes Ocado Technology. Payload is 128kg of groceries in eight separate boxes, each of which holds a carrier.

Loughborough University’s engineering school promoted the technology that it has developed to extend the use of SCR (selective catalytic reduction) technology for emissions treatment at temperatures lower than the recommended 250ºC. Its Ammonia Creation and Conversion Technology uses waste energy to modify AdBlue ammonia additive to work effectively at lower temperatures, down to 50ºC. Testing on a bench prototype has begun, and it said that on-engine testing is due to be completed in a year’s time.

Author
Will Dalrymple

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