Capital Equipment News October 2016

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS

OCTOBER 2016

Daimler Trucks’ focus at this year’s IAA

International Commercial Vehicle Show,

held from 22 to 29 September, was on the

megatrends of the future: digitalisation

and e-mobility. The truck maker reasons

that connectivity and the intelligent

networking of trucks are now raising the

haulage sector to a whole new level.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has linked up

the two megatrends of digitalisation and

e-mobility in the Urban eTruck. The vehicle

is said to be a spectacular vision of the

networked and all-electric distribution truck

of tomorrow. The Urban eTruck illustrates

the fascinating possibilities of connectivity,

electric drive systems, future display and

control technologies, telematics and a

largely self-sufficient power supply.

The Mercedes-Benz Urban eTruck defines

the latest developments in all-electric

vehicles in the heavy short-radius distribution

sector. The triple-axle vehicle with a

permissible gross weight of 26 t produces

zero local emissions and runs silently, yet it is

equal to a truck with an internal combustion

engine in terms of load and performance,

and, thanks to its innovative power supply, it

is also economical.

Meanwhile, Fuso’s eCanter is the third

generation of the world’s first fully electric-

powered light commercial vehicle and is the

first small-scaleproduction runof electric Fuso

trucks. Technically, the eCanter is radically

different from its predecessor and benefits

from the extensive findings of customer trials

with the second generation and the reduced

costs of battery and component technology.

The new eCanter uses a permanent

synchronous electric motor with an output

of 185 kW and torque of 380 Nm. Power is

transferred to the rear axle by a standard

single-speed transmission. Depending on

the body, load and usage, a range of more

than 100 km without stationary recharging

is possible. The batteries are spread over

five units, one centrally in the frame right

behind the cab and two more on each side

of the frame. They are water-cooled lithium-

ion batteries that provide a long service life,

high efficiency, especially at high ambient

temperatures, and compact construction of

the battery units.

Famous for its innovative approach to logis-

tics, DACHSER South Africa’s recent partner-

ship with a project engineering company that

provides transformers to the mining sector

highlights the company’s commitment to find-

ing streamlined solutions for the most chal-

lenging logistics requirements.

The client re-

quired a logistics partner that could manage

the complex logistics process of transporting

105 transformers, of three different weights

ranging from 1 400 kg to 8 000 kg per piece,

from origin in Germany to final destination at

a coal mine in Zambia.

According to Detlev Duve, managing

director of DACHSER South Africa, the

company was more than ready to tackle a

project such as this. “DACHSER South Africa

is well-placed to take on highly complex

logistics challenges given our in-house

specialist knowledge and a well-established

global and African network of partners.”

As well as being able to handle the com-

plexity of multiple stops before destination,

DACHSER South Africa was also required to

provide expert packing and loading knowl-

edge to maintain the integrity of the trans-

formers and their casings during transporta-

tion. This included the temporary removal of

protruding parts which were to be reassem-

bled by the client at destination.

The challenge of logistics lies in provid-

ing a streamlined process within a specific

timeframe. “To guarantee an excellent and

timeous service requires a dedicated team

of multi-talented personnel that are the links

in an unbreakable chain from start to finish.

This includes DACHSER’s ocean imports

team and customs department that ensures

the shipment from Germany to South Africa

goes smoothly. Next in the chain is our highly

experienced local logistics department that

handles the loading and movement of the

transformers from arrival at customs, to cas-

ing fitment in Gauteng, and then to the test-

bed facility in the Limpopo Province. The final

link in the chain is DACHSER South Africa’s

road freight exports department that over-

sees transportation from Limpopo province

to Zambia.”

Currently, 29 transformers are being pre-

pared for transportation, with 12 already in

the process of delivery. The transformers are

secured on flat rack containers and delivered

in a convoy of two at a time via super links

to the mine in Zambia. Duve says that a three

to four-day transit time is anticipated from

South Africa to Zambia. “With timeframes

like this, there is no room for delay. This

means that planning for all scenarios is ab-

solutely key.”

Daimler showcases digitalisation and e-mobility

solutions at IAA

GETTING THE BETTER OF

LOGISTICAL CHALLENGES

TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS

The outstanding features of the Urban eTruck

include its drive with electrically powered

rear axle and electric motors directly

adjacent to the wheel hubs.

Ludwig Meyer GmbH & Co. KG is a

long-standing partner of Iveco in Germany,

and has a long history of demonstrating in-

novation in the field of CNG and electric

vehicles. The Friedrichsdorf-based com-

pany will soon be operating 20 Stralis NP

trucks from Iveco for the purposes of fresh

food logistics and distribution in the Berlin

area. Meyer Logistik is also coordinating

the construction of a public Liquefied Nat-

ural Gas (LNG) filling station on the east

side of the Berliner Ring orbital motorway.

The Federal Ministry of Transport and

Infrastructure (BMVI) encouraged the

purchase of the LNG truck fleet with an

investment of €360 000, thereby allowing

the construction of the LNG refuelling

station. “LNG is a promising alternative to

conventional fuel. Funded by the BMVI pilot

project with Meyer Logistics, this deal is an

important contribution in the field of new and

clean drives for heavy trucks and LNG as a

fuel source in Germany,” says Rainer Bomba,

state secretary at the Federal Ministry of

Transport and Digital Infrastructure.

Pierre Lahutte, brand president at Iveco, is

delighted that the door to more sustainable

logistics is now open in Germany. “Iveco is a

leading technology developer in the natural

gas sector. Our customers in Spain, Italy, the

UK and the Netherlands are demonstrating

that LNG is an equally reliable and efficient

technology that has far less of an environ-

mental impact than other fuels. The Stralis

NP not only produces cleaner emissions, but

is also extremely quiet. This makes the ve-

hicle suitable for urban use and calms resi-

dents’ concerns about noise.”

Iveco delivers Germany’s first LNG-powered long-haul truck