The Commercial Vehicle Show 2024 highlights

The 23rd Commercial Vehicle Show took place at the NEC in Birmingham on 23-25 April and allowed thousands of fleet operators to discover the latest vans, trucks, products, and services to help them achieve their decarbonisation targets.

With the UK ending the sale of new non-zero emission vans and trucks under 26 tonnes by 2035 and over 26 tonnes by 2040, the commercial vehicle industry is undergoing the most radical changes in its history.

For operators, manufacturers and technicians looking to futureproof their fleets and skills, the CV Show included an essential conference covering decarbonisation, including electrification, hydrogen, skills, recruitment, and technology.    

What’s more, the dedicated Destination Net Zero zone provided a showcase of the latest technology helping decarbonise Britain’s heavy haulage fleet, including zero emission trucks from manufacturers Iveco, Mercedes-Benz, Renault Trucks and Scania.

Electric vehicles

Harris MAXUS launched two new electric vehicles at the Commercial Vehicle Show – the eDELIVER 5 electric LCV and MAXUS MIFA 7 MPV. Catering for for a number of audience segments including taxi drivers, executive chauffeurs, hotels and hospitality providers, the Premium model of the MIFA 7 has a 90kWh battery and offers a range of up to 298 miles (WLTP combined). Luxury & Elite models of the MIFA 7 meanwhile have a 77kWh battery offering 255 miles miles.

The MAXUS eDELIVER 5 has a 64kWh battery and a range of 208 miles (WLTP combined). The payload is 1200kg and the cargo volume is 6.6m3 / 7.6m3.

IVECO debuted its eDaily ‘Mobile Power Station’ at the 2024 Commercial Vehicle show as part of the EV Café Village. The IVECO eDaily’s innovative modular battery setup offers up to 50kW ePTO onboard power. Able to power heavy-duty equipment and bodies such as compactors, fire-fighting equipment, road maintenance machinery, and gully cleaners, eDaily is enabling more operators than ever to go electric. 

The Mobile Power Station is based on a 4.25-tonne, three-battery eDaily (42S14e) with 15kW high voltage ePTO. Utilising its onboard power, this van contains the ‘Power Wall’, a dynamic display of energy flow from the vehicle’s batteries to various outlets.

The Mobile Power Station allowed the public to charge their smart devices and laptops while simultaneously powering various items such as TV screens.

Renault had an electric line-up on display, including the recently-launched Master E-Tech. The van features improved aerodynamics, cutting edge connectivity, a special braking system, up to 20 ADAS features, a range of up to 285 miles and payload of 1,625 kg. Renaut offers a pure electric version of every model in its LCV range, with the Master being joined by the Trafic E-Tech electric and the Kangoo E-Tech electric.

Ford Pro showcased a new extended range option for the E-Transit, which features an 89 kWh battery for driving range of up to 249 miles, as well as faster AC and DC charging performance.

Like all E-Transit commercial vehicles, the extended range model is fully integrated with the Ford Pro platform of connected charging and software solutions to help customers optimise energy management, streamline servicing, and minimise downtime and cost of ownership.

Discussing net zero

The seminar programme, called The Road Ahead, gave delegates insight and analysis on everything from net zero fleets, to regulation and workforce upskilling.

With 18 speaker and panel sessions over three days, delegates heard from major van and truck OEMs, the SMMT, National Highways, the Road Haulage Association and National Grid, with the opening address coming from Rt Hon Bill Esterson MP, Shadow Minister for Transport (Roads).

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive said: “Truck operators are facing higher capital expenditure, a paucity of dedicated charging infrastructure, planning constraints and grid delays to depot upgrades. They therefore need a next generation incentive, infrastructure strategy and planning reform if they are to invest in the greener future the country needs.”