Advanced technology will pave the way to exceed what was previously thought possible.
The commercial transportation industry faces rapidly changing regulations and evolving customer needs. Cummins examines the future of commercial transportation, and indicates that it will be shaped by three perspectives: a shifting energy mix, innovations in software, and evolving use cases driven by autonomous driving and vehicle-as-a-service (VaaS).
Within cities, the need and benefit for decarbonization is the highest. Cities also offer two circumstances to spur decarbonization: a dense population of transportation assets that share a common infrastructure and the use-cases that are easier to decarbonize, such as last-mile delivery.
For commercial transportation, the future of energy can be summed up simply: zero carbon emissions, well-to-wheel. This is the destination, driven by societal pressure and environmental needs. This will require a shift in energy mix, and the journey to decarbonize commercial transportation will be rooted in a comprehensive technology roadmap with three primary components: zero emissions technologies such as battery electric and fuel cell electric; low to zero carbon fuels; and fuel agnostic powertrain platforms.
The 2020s will be shaped by two trends: those that will make the leap to zero, and the rise of low to zero carbon fuels. Busses that operate in urban areas are leading the sector in making the leap to zero carbon emission solutions, at the tail pipe. Transportation emissions will decrease by ~1.4% in the U.S. when the majority of buses switch to zero carbon emission technologies. There is another overlooked benefit of busses leading the way towards zero carbon emissions: fast-tracking innovations. As more of our bus partners choose zero-emission technologies, we find innovative solutions to meet their needs. These learnings ready zero carbon emission technologies for other transportation use-cases sooner. When it comes to the rise of low to zero carbon fuels, renewable natural gas, biodiesel blends, and hydrogen will lead the way, and internal combustion engine technology will see improved efficiencies. Meanwhile, we also plan to make our new engines compatible with increasing blends of low carbon fuels. During this era, hydrogen engines may also gain traction among line haul trucking. The key to hydrogen adoption will be the cost parity of hydrogen to diesel and infrastructure for refueling.
In the 2030s, we will begin to see a marked scale-up of new technologies and fuels. Battery-electric and fuel cell electric solutions will be viable for more use cases, especially with urban vehicles. Meanwhile, alternative fuels such as renewable natural gas (RNG), hydrogen, and biodiesel blends could have global footprints. At a regional level, varying local availability of different feedstocks will keep less popular low to zero carbon fuels in play. For bio-derived fuels, an interesting dynamic could play out during this decade. Given these limited stock bio-derived fuels could be the only viable path to decarbonize aviation, we could likely see a limited use of them in road transportation. The 2030s will also be the decade we will learn more about the viability of synthetic fuels for commercial transportation. Cost, availability, and efficiency of energy pathways will be three of the key factors to watch-out.
In the 2040s, electrification will become more viable even for today’s hard-to-electrify use cases. For example, heavy-duty and line-haul trucks are challenging to electrify today, mainly because the energy density of today’s batteries and limited recharging infrastructure would interfere with the truck’s job. This may become less and less of an obstacle as technology and infrastructure continue to advance. As the vehicle electrification eliminates tank-to-wheel emissions, well-to-tank emissions will get increasing spotlight. The good news is, by 2040, renewable electricity is forecasted to account for over 60% of our electricity1. To get there will take doubling the investments in electricity industry, as a share of GDP, towards $1.2 trillion a year by the second half of the 2020s, and strong public and private partnerships.
This article is to be continued in the first issue of August. Source
The Standard Transparent Bucket option offers a supplemental view from a monitor inside the cab.
With an unobstructed view in front of the wheel loader bucket, operators can see objects or challenging terrain, enabling them to be more efficient and productive in their work. Adding the Standard Transparent Bucket option to machine allows operators to see large rocks, construction materials, obstacles and even people in front of the machine — objects that would otherwise be obstructed from view by the bucket.
This multiple-camera system is an innovation in construction equipment technology, helping minimize blind spots that occur when the wheel loader bucket is raised. Operators can see what’s ahead from the in-cab monitor. The ability to “see through” the wheel loader bucket allows operators to efficiently dig into and precisely place material where it needs to go. This innovative technology helps maximize productivity on the most challenging job sites.
The technology offers two cameras with protective guarding, one mounted high and one mounted low on the front of the machine. The system’s processor automatically adjusts the camera inputs into a single image that makes the bucket appear transparent on an in-cab monitor. Source
This cost-efficient training simulator improves safe and efficient knuckle boom crane operations.
HiSkill uses virtual reality (VR) technology to create a safe and realistic learning environment for operators of Hiab knuckle boom cranes. Operators can learn the basics of crane operation without the risk of personal injury or damage to equipment or the surrounding environment. HiSkill also tracks and analyses operator movements to provide actionable improvement suggestions.
Following a successful pilot, a customer with a nationwide operation has ordered 50 simulators and started using the new training system. During the pilot, HiSkill reduced its training costs by up to 50%, while doubling the first-time pass rate for the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) certification.
The system can easily be used by all customers from small businesses to large fleets. The lightweight and portable VR kits enable simulators to be used anywhere, anytime with an additional annual subscription fee per operator. It is available to order now from all Hiab sales branches and the National Support Center. Source
Long-distance trucks should be able to be fully charged during the drivers' 45-minute driving time break.
MAN will start production of its electric long-haul truck in 2024. There are already more than 500 order enquiries. As early as 2030, half of MAN trucks registered annually in Europe should be battery-electric. For this to succeed in Europe, construction of around 50,000 public truck charging points and a CO2 price is needed that makes e-trucks more economical than diesel. MAN has already trained a total of 2,600 employees in high-voltage technology, but above all also in the development of electric technology, a lot of new know-how is required so that e-trucks can be used in a wide variety of practical applications in the future.
MAN is involved with numerous partners in the development of the megawatt charging system (MCS) required for this through the NEFTON project. The new MAN eTruck is already technically prepared for this MCS standard, which is expected to be available from 2025. Long-distance daily ranges of up to 1,000 kilometres will thus be possible in the future. And with its variable battery configurations between 300 and 500 kWh of usable capacity, it will also easily cover other typical transport tasks of today's trucks, such as low-noise and emission-free waste disposal in the city or the more climate-friendly collection of milk from organic farmers.
MAN is also making intensive preparations for electromobility in the area of charging infrastructure and is setting up 1,700 high-performance charging points for trucks along major European trunk roads over the next five years in a joint venture with TRATON and other partners. In addition, MAN is already providing customers with comprehensive advice on switching to electromobility and is also offering the necessary charging infrastructure through partners.
At the Nuremberg plant, MAN will start producing its own batteries in 2025, with the aim of producing around 100,000 of them annually from 2030. Salzgitter will also play a key role in the transformation as a component plant for non-driven axles and crankshafts for the new Group engine developed jointly by all TRATON Group manufacturers. In addition, the site is responsible for MAN's worldwide spare parts logistics, which in future will also increasingly include electric components. Source
More hauliers are now starting to invest in electric trucks, including for heavy transport.
Volvo Trucks has delivered an electric truck for heavy transport to a haulier in Gothenburg, Sweden. The truck can handle a total weight of 74 tonnes. Testing has been ongoing on one of the trucks in container traffic in the port area of Arendal in Gothenburg. The test is a so-called HCT (High-Capacity Transport) project. The truck with two trailers is 32 m long and can handle a gross combination weight of 74 tonnes.
Volvo wants to show that all-electric solutions also work in applications with high total weights and a high utilization rate. Together with Mattson Åkeri, the Swedish Transport Administration and several other partners, Volvo are now looking at how we can optimize the operation of the electric truck, including how charging should take place in the most efficient way.
The electric truck being tested is a Volvo FH Electric 6X4 and is charged with green electricity at the two fast 180 kW chargers that Mattsson Åkeri has installed in the company's depot in Arendal. In the long term, the truck will also run between Gothenburg and the city of Borås, 70 km from Gothenburg.
Results show that driving long and heavy loads using electricity works very well so far, and can carry as much cargo as a diesel truck. The truck runs 12 hours a day, with a stop for charging when the driver takes a break. They charge with green electricity and thus get no CO2 emissions. Silent, electric operation also means a better working environment for the driver.
Since Volvo Trucks started production of all-electric trucks in 2019, the company has sold nearly 5,000 electric trucks in 40 countries around the world. Volvo today offers the industry's widest product range with six electric models in series production that meet a broad range of needs for transport in and between cities. Globally, Volvo Trucks has set the target that half of all trucks sold are electric by 2030.
High-Capacity Transports (HCT) means that the vehicle's length and/or gross weight is allowed to increase, which allows for a larger load to be transported per vehicle. HCT can be applied on all types of drivelines. The idea is that HCT will contribute to lower transport costs, reduced environmental impact, higher traffic safety, reduced road wear and lower maintenance costs. In Europe there are a number of ongoing and planned HCT projects. One example is Finland, where it is permitted to drive with 76 tonnes of total weight and 34,5m truck combinations on most roads. Another is Sweden, where it is allowed to drive 74 tonnes (BK4 road network) and test, with permission from authorities, truck combinations of up to 34,5m and 100 tonnes on a defined road network. Source
Read MoreLog Max have just built their 9000th head!
It was a Log Max 6000V, and is ready for delivery to France to be exhibited at Euro Forest. Log Max number 9000 has now been shown to thousands of visitors at the big European Exhibition in their dealer @cuoqforestdiffusion Diffision stand. They are now looking for the proud 9000th Log Max head owner! If you want to be this lucky person, contact log Max. Source
New Tigercat TCi Dealer in France
Tigercat Industries is pleased to announce that Cuoq Forest Diffusion (CFD) based in Saint Pal de Mons is now representing the TCi equipment brand at the national level in France. Previous TCi dealer for France, Clohse Group, will continue to service the Benelux region and northwestern Germany. Source
Bandit Announces new dealers in British Columbia and Texas
CC Equipment, ltd. has joined the Bandit dealer network as a full line dealer covering the province of British Columbia, Canada. CC Equipment is a locally owned Canadian company, serving metro Vancouver, the lower mainland, Vancouver Island, and southern British Columbia from Whistler to Hope. CC Equipment Ltd. is recognized as a leader in parts, service, sales, and rentals for all your job site requirements. Below are the two branches that will have Bandit equipment. Source
Read MoreTo see the full list of international logging, roading and trucking conferences and expo’s, please click the “Events” tab at the top of the page.
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