News: May 2008
EU gives go ahead for cabotage
26.05.2008The European Parliament has just approved a framework project for cabotage. Cabotage is set to be limited to three pick-ups and deliveries in a foreign country within a seven day period, if this follows on from an international transport mission. The MEP’s are planning for a gradual easing of these restrictions, however, so that by January 1st 2014 road cabotage will be totally liberalised. They have also asked the Commission to undertake a study into the differences in terms of fiscal regimes and working conditions between the member states, in order to avoid social dumping. The Parliament has also redefined the criteria for carrying out the profession of road transporter. Amongst the criteria are: transport managers will have to prove their capacity to carry out this function via an exam, they must be a resident of a member state and have their operational premises in the same state, and they cannot be a director of more than four companies.
More... www.truckeurope.net
Bus simulator for Denmark
21.05.2008Thales says it will deliver its first bus and coach driving simulator, called BUS3000, in partnership with Helsinki-based STC. The Finnish firm has already developed and delivered three bus-driving simulators for customers in Belgium and Finland. The new simulator will go to Danish training outfit TSU in the autumn. Thales says BUS3000 meets the European directive EU 2003-59 on driver training and will help experienced drivers meet the need for continued training when the directive becomes law. In the meantime, it will help train beginners and uses only six tonnes of oil equivalent a year, compared to 64 for a training vehicle.
More... Mark Rouson, www.thalesgroup.com
More Volvo FL sleeper options
21.05.2008Hatcher says it has produced another sleeper variant. The new conversion is for the Volvo FL day cab and creates two separate sleeping areas. The cab is extended by 700 mm to take one bunk behind the seats with a second bunk in the cab roof, which has been increased by 900 mm.
More... Richard Lawrence, www.splash.uk.net
Low-cost fuel economy
21.05.2008KPS Automotive Parts says its Hiclone fuel saving device works on cars, vans and trucks and can cut fuel consumption by between 10 and 20%. The firm says the stainless steel device fits in 15 minutes, has no moving parts and works for the life of the vehicle. "In the case of a Ford Transit van, as an example, two Hiclones are fitted in the air intake system," says Stephen Blake, commercial director. "Air drawn into the engine passes through them, improving the way it mixes with the fuel to give 10 to 20% better fuel consumption, better power and torque, quieter running and of course, lower emissions."
More... Stephen Blake, www.kpsautomotiveparts.co.uk
Thermo King spends on green R&D centre
21.05.2008Thermo King is to spend a 'substantial' amount on its research and design centre in Galway, Ireland, to make it the firm's centre of excellence for 'green' technology development. The Galway site is one of 11 for the firm around the world and serves customers across Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The team in Galway has already developed industry-leading and environmentally-friendly projects that include a patented cryogenic cooling system and the new SLX trailer refrigeration units that use 20% less fuel.
More... Bram Robichez, www.eu.thermoking.com
September launch for UK Eurocargo
21.05.2008Iveco says it aims to launch its UK Eurocargo 7.5 to 18 tonne truck range this September. The move follows a recent international launch in Turin. "The new Eurocargo will arrive into a very buoyant truck market and one which has already seen our projected stock of the current model sold-out," says Andrea Bucci, Iveco's UK marketing director. The new trucks all get the automated EuroTronic transmission and Bucci says the firm will set prices for the new range soon, with Iveco dealers taking orders from June.
More... James Keeler, www.garnett-keeler.com
Return to 60 tonnes in Netherlands
20.05.2008Transport en Logistiek Nederland (TLN) and EVO are delighted with the lobbying which has seen the return of 60 tonne ecocombi’s. Following conclusive tests with the ecocombi’s, according to the Dutch organisations, a new series of tests had begun, but with 50 tonne combinations for reasons of security related to the condition of certain bridges and viaducts. According to a study, it would appear that a return to 60 tonnes is possible. This supports the point of view of organisations which believe that ecocombi’s have no negative impact on infrastructures.
More... www.truckeurope.net
3663 fits wide-angle cameras to fleet
19.05.2008Nationwide food supplier 3663 has taken delivery of more than 100 wide-angle camera viewing systems from Recognix to help drivers when reversing. "The type of deliveries we make, all in city centres with people everywhere, means you need to see what's behind you," says Graham Rennie, 3663's director of fleet.
More... Paul Howard, Motor Transport
2000 company heads at 31st IRU congress
19.05.2008The 31st IRU worldwide congress currently taking place in Istanbul, Turkey, has brought together some 2,000 transport company heads and political deciders from around 70 countries. The theme of the congress is: ‘Road transport as a vector of peace and prosperity’. Janusz Lacny, President of the IRU, said : "The theme of the congress will enable governmental authorities, political deciders, the media and the public at large to better understand the exceptional and irreplaceable role that road transport plays in interconnecting men and companies throughout all the countries and regions of the world".
More... www.truckeurope.net
TNT expands green fleet
19.05.2008TNT is enlarging its ecological fleet by putting more than 100 electric and hybrid trucks into service in the UK, China and Australia. The English vehicles are supplied by Smith Electric Vehicles and will replace the same number of diesel vehicles. The mobilisation of these 7.5 tonne trucks will lead to a decrease in annual emissions of 1,299,000 kg of CO2 in the British Isles. In China, the supplier of the electric vehicles is called Dong Feng Motor Corporation. In Australia, the hybrid vehicles are supplied by Hino.
More... www.truckeurope.net
Iveco's new Eurocargo makes its debut
08.05.2008Iveco's new Eurocargo makes its official debut today. The middleweight rigid's cab has been completely revised both inside and out where there is now a new hinged front panel with room for signwriting and a revised plastic front bumper with integral head lights. Bumpers and wheelarches are also now available in the same cab colour.
More... Brian Weatherley, Commercial Motor
Super-modern DB Schenker terminal in Salzburg
08.05.2008Works on one of the largest and most modern DB Schenker complexes have started at Bergheim, close to Salzburg in Austria. This complex represents an investment of 21 million Euros and will in particular serve as a transport hub for Europe. The surface area will extend to 80,000 m² with a 10,000 m² transhipment hall and 115 loading doors. A conveyor system will be able to handle 400 tonnes per hour, some 680 pallets. The new site will also benefit from excellent connections to road and rail.
More... www.truckeurope.net
European Transport Barometer results presented during Truck Europe Forum
08.05.2008Launched in 2007, the European Transport Barometer is an annual survey conducted by Truck
More... www.truckeurope.net
Launch of European Tellibox project
08.05.2008The European project ‘Intelligent MegaSwapBoxes for Advanced Intermodal Freight Transport’ (TelliBox) was officially launched in April. This involves a polyvalent transport unit which responds to European norms in terms of intermodal integration and operational optimisation. It will be able to be used just as easily by road, rail, waterway and maritime transport. A European consortium is to produce 3 optimised and certified prototypes which will be tested in a European intermodal corridor.
More... www.truckeurope.net
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