Green Truck Summit and Work Truck Week 2023 saw excellent educational sessions and numerous new product launches. Most centered around alternative power and electrification, both dominant event themes.
Loved visiting the Navistar/International Trucks team during Work Truck Week. Check out the electric truck behind us.
Cummins Keynote
Before Cummins President and CEO Jennifer Rumsey’s keynote to launch the Green Truck Summit, I was thrilled to have the chance to talk with her and get a preview of the presentation. The podcast of the interview will be available soon. Among the topics we discussed was diversity and the current state of power and emission control in the on-road heavy-duty vehicle and off-highway industries.
Jennifer Rumsey and Lori Ditoro before the podcast interview
To summarize and use Rumsey’s much-quoted words, the industry is in the messy middle. This means process is beginning, but multiple power sources are being used and research is ongoing about the ideal way to reach zero emissions.
During the keynote, Rumsey discussed the pressures facing the trucking industry:
- Inflation and meeting financial needs
- Supply constraints
- Environmental, social and governance pressure
- Knowing that alternatives must be tried
Rumsey begins her keynote
- Advancing today’s solutions, including reducing carbon emissions in diesel engines
- Deploying and advancing many solutions at varied paces and building up the infrastructure (including charging stations and the availability of hydrogen)
- Making zero emission solutions broadly available—the ideal future state
Cummins also announced Accelera during this event.
Isuzu Goes Electric
The launch announcement of the first Isuzu electric truck
“The N-Series EV is a game-changer, not only for us, but for our dealers and our customers,” said Shaun C. Skinner, president, Isuzu Commercial Truck of America and Isuzu Commercial Truck of Canada. “We have always prided ourselves on offering a variety of powertrains to meet the needs of our owners. As we look at the regulatory landscape ahead of us, we know that the demand for a medium-duty truck powered by electricity is going to increase dramatically. And we will be ready, with the first electric production Class 5 low cab forward truck in the U.S. and Canadian marketplace.”
The cab of the electric Isuzu truck
The new cab includes:
- Driver and outboard front passenger airbags
- The steering wheel’s position and angle have been changed to provide a better for a wider range of drivers
- The steering wheel hub will contain switches that operate the multi-information display, audio system, cruise control and hands-free phone calling
- New 7-inch color multi-information display will house warning lights, status indicators of driver-assistance features, time and temperature, odometer, fuel gauge and shift position indicator; drivers can choose from English, French and Spanish as the display language
- Auto-on/off headlamps
- Electrically operated climate controls
- Variable intermittent windshield wipers
- Electronic parking brake
- Driver’s seat arm rest
Allison Transmission’s Augmented Reality
Trying out augmented reality with Allison Transmission
Parker Features ePTO Motors
The e910 Series is designed to increase run time and optimize efficiency.Parker
J.W. Speaker Displayed Work Truck Lighting Solutions
J.W. Speaker, manufacturer of LED technology, debuted its LED work truck lighting solutions during Work Truck Week. Attendees saw the complete line of J.W. Speaker LED work truck lights designed to provide optimal illumination in the harshest working conditions—improving the safety, productivity, and comfort of vehicle operators and workers on the jobsite in agriculture, construction, mining or even off-road environments.
“From delivery vans to snowplows to tractors and trailers, if you’re working in a vehicle, you’re working at night and when driving conditions are suboptimal,” said Kyle Alban, senior account manager at J.W. Speaker. “No matter the vehicle or the size of your fleet, safety and efficiency are key to better projects. We’re excited to be at NETA Work Truck Week to help customers focus on protecting their people, bringing visibility where it’s needed most and being a high-quality provider of LED lighting solutions. We’ll be sharing a wide variety of lighting options that can be mixed and matched to improve aftermarket and OEM vehicles.”
The Mosaic SystemJW Speaker
The work truck lighting family displayed at the J.W. Speaker booth included:
- Model 93 5-in-1 LED Headlight: A drop-in LED replacement for standard 90-millimeter (mm) headlights that also integrates into OEM designs.
- Model 905 and Model 260 Dawn to Dusk Lighting System (DDLS): The compact, lightweight Model 905 work light or Model 260 rear combination light provides crisp, clear, expansive projection in any work environment and has a plug-and-play assembly.
- Mosaic Modular Lighting System: Mosaic allows OEMs to create customized vehicle lighting designs without high optical tooling costs. Using the Mosaic Modular System of approved lights helps streamline design, simplify manufacturing and expedite time-to-market.
- SmartHeat Technology: These work truck lights feature integrated lens heating technology to automatically remove snow and ice from the surface of the lens—with no action required by the driver.
Lincoln Electric Features a Multifunction Engine Drive
The Ranger Air 260MPX is an air compressor, generator, battery charger, battery jump assist and multiprocess welder in one.Lincoln Electric
The Ranger Air 260MPX is an air compressor, generator, battery charger, battery jump assist and multiprocess welder all in one. This compact machine eliminates the need to carry multiple pieces of power equipment on a service truck. The result is a lighter payload and more space on the truck for other tools and gear.
