Van registrations were up by 1.2% in January, with more than 21,000 new light commercial vehicles hitting the UK roads, according to latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Light Commercial Vehicles
Trailer manufacturer SDC has welcomed the Department for Transport’s (DfT) announcement that it will be extending the longer semi-trailer trial (LST) with 1,000 more vehicles and adding five years to the reporting period.
Longer Semi-Trailers
Scottish quarry and aggregate business William Thompson & Son (Dumbarton) has taken delivery of five new tipper trucks, all specified with steel curved floor Multimaster bodies.
TippersMPs debated the issue of unregulated transport refrigeration units (TRUs) last week, as part of a wider debate on ultra-low emission vehicles.
Alternative Fuels
Transport Engineer’s legal update page is brought to you by specialist transport law firm Backhouse Jones
Driver / People Management
Last month’s publication of the DfT’s long-awaited concluding report on its Low Carbon Truck Trial reveals a mixed picture. However, there remain encouraging ways forward, says Brian Tinham
Alternative Fuels
Truck running gear has seen mostly only gradual evolution over the years, but, as John Kendall discovers, suspension and steering systems are on the move
Suspensions
As city and urban authorities increasingly frown on diesel engines, it’s time for refrigerated transport operators to consider some alternatives. And there are plenty of them, writes Steve Banner
Temperature Controlled Vehicles
As the transport industry increasingly wakes up to the importance of competence and compliance at every level, including vehicle inspection and maintenance, irtec is trending upwards. Brian Tinham reports
Irtec
Scania’s new R and S Series trucks have certainly created a deal of interest in the industry, but their arrival in the UK will be a slow-burn affair. Ian Norwell reports
Tractor Units
Last year Transport Engineer revealed ambitious plans for the futuristic, all-American, electric Nikola One tractor. The latest zero-emission prototype has now broken cover. Brian Weatherley reports
Alternative Fuels
Despite the setbacks with gas trucks – and particularly dual-fuel methane-diesel – revealed in last month’s report on the Low Carbon Truck Trial (page 34), this game must surely be far from over. Not only are next-generation OEM advances countering irksome efficiency losses and power limitations, but also aftermarket converters are hinting at solutions to crippling methane slip.
Alternative Fuels