A few months after the DfT announcement of trials for longer semi-trailers, Steve Banner talks to those building and operating the new units to see how they are performing
Longer Heavier Vehicles
Despite electric and diesel-electric hybrid powertrains grabbing many of the headlines, alternative fuels and multi-fuel engines remain powerful options for transport fleets for the foreseeable future, discovers Steve Banner
Alternative Fuels
Manufacturing vehicles to protect war zone combatants is an expensive business, but it also pushes engineering innovation to extremes. Ian Norwell reports from Iveco's defence division plant in Bolzano, northern Italy
Off Roaders
Truck rollovers can have a serious impact on operators and the travelling public, but new technologies are promising to improve the situation. John Challen discovers some of the latest developments
Vehicle Stability
Engine CO2 outputs are continuing to fall across modern vans and LCVs, thanks to OEMs' increasingly sophisticated designs for cleaner vehicles. Keith Read talks to vehicle and equipment manufacturers, and transport operators to assess commercial benefits
Emissions Control
The upcoming introduction of Euro 6 engine emissions legislation is prompting a growing number of truck and bus engine manufacturers to unveil their solutions. Brian Tinham and John Challen investigates latest offerings from Mercedes-Benz, Cummins and DAF
Emissions Control
IRTE, the professional road transport engineering institution, appears to be going from strength to strength. At last month's revitalised CV Show, in Birmingham, headline news was not only that its transport technicians' licensing scheme irtec is receiving high-level support, but also that the IRTE Workshop Accreditation Scheme is now going live.
Maintenance
With so many boxes to tick when specifying new tractor units, it's tempting to stick with the devil you know. However, John Challen talks to three manufacturers and discovers that's not always the best approach
Vehicle Specification
All eyes are on Europe when it comes to truck and trailer braking technology, according to Jeff Lowe of Doctor Air Brake.
Braking Systems
Tesco has added its first Iveco trucks to the fleet – purchasing 20 Eurocargo 18-tonners. The move follows success with some 1,500 Iveco Daily light commercial vans operating with the company's home delivery arm, Tesco.com.
Rigids
Mercedes-Benz dealer Enza has supplied St Helens-based Cheshire Mouldings with two very different trucks. One is an 18-tonne Mercedes-Benz Axor 1824; the other a 3.5-tonne Fuso Canter 3C13.
Flatbed
Wickes customers are now receiving home deliveries from six new 7.5-tonne trucks that combine what the firm believes are market-leading payloads with minimal footprints – making them ideal for residential areas operations.
Bodywork