As operators and manufacturers look to tick as many green boxes as possible, John Kendall reports on the changing face of trailers and rigids
Tractor Units
When Lancashire County Council's fleet manager engaged bodybuilder Mellor to design and build easy-access buses to Type Approval standards, it opened a can of worms. Brian Tinham reports
Whole Vehicle Type Approval
Mock trials at Derby University provided a clever backdrop to the thorny issues of wheel security, longer heavier vehicles and fuel-saving interventions. John Challen reports
Alternative Fuels
Failure to apply a full risk assessment in the purchase of a commercial vehicle wheel could ultimately lead to a corporate manslaughter charge, should the item fail and cause a catastrophic injury.
Wheels / Wheel fixings / Trims
Tesco.com, Tesco's online shopping subsidiary, is taking delivery of 795 Iveco Daily light commercials, of which 25 are EcoDailys, powered by compressed biomethane (CBM) in a major trial of the technology.
Alternative Fuels
The technology might be available to help operators meet exhaust emission targets, but who is going to pay for it?
Exhaust Gas RecirculationIsuzu has put a new 18-tonne 4x2 refrigerated demo vehicle into service boasting a 9 tonne-plus payload and unlimited mileage three-year warranty on the body, refrigeration system and chassis/cab.
Rigids
Recent sales figures show van sales registrations for July were steady, with just 0.1% growth over the rolling year, most likely due "to the budget restraint and cuts in public spending", according to Retail Motor Industry director Sue Robinson.
Sales Figures
TOM Vehicle Rental, the Lanarkshire-based commercial vehicle rental and repair firm, has added a new MAN TGX 18.480BL 6x2 wrecker chassis to its fleet.
Rigids
Yorkshire-based Volvo commercial vehicles dealership Crossroads Truck and Bus has acquired Hartshorne in the West Midlands.
Finance & Leasing
Trials in Stratford-upon-Avon of the UK's first full-size battery-powered bus, the Optare Solo EV, have convinced operator Johnsons Coach & Bus Travel that all-electric vehicles could have a place in its fleet.
Electric Vehicles
Mercedes-Benz is introducing its award-winning second-generation Active Brake Assist technology on its heavy-duty Actros trucks.
Vehicle Stability