The Italian manufacturer's concept truck features autonomous driving as well as natural gas power. It cuts emissions compared to a conventional vehicle while remaining suited to long-distance haulage
After this, the world may never be the same. At least not the world of transport. Iveco is promising to revolutionise the freight sector by introducing a low-emission, autonomous-driving truck. A solid, achievable project that is not far from entering production. Although prototypes of battery-powered and hybrid trucks have been in circulation for some time — their fate inextricably tied to the development of proper electric motorways — the Italian concept can claim greater practicality, being suited to long-distance operations and not depending on the creation of special infrastructure for its success.
Iveco Z Truck, the name of the new vehicle unveiled at the 2016 Hannover IAA Motor Show — the specialist trade fair for transport and logistics — is a low-environmental-impact concept, characterised by propulsion using liquefied natural gas (LNG) and biomethane, and designed for long-distance freight haulage. With a range of 2,200 km — surpassing even a classic diesel model — and contained CO2 emissions, it promises to introduce a sustainable dimension to road transport, modernising the fleets currently in service on Italian and European roads. The extensive use of autonomous driving technologies also anticipates a radical change in the role, the work and the working day of drivers, who will be called upon less and less to steer vehicles and more and more to act as genuine logistics operators.
Z Truck means zero stress both for those who grip — or rather, used to grip, given the autonomous driving — the truck's steering wheel, and for car drivers. Progressively removing heavy vehicles from direct human control means maximising safety and actively preventing the majority of accidents involving freight vehicles. Goodbye, for instance, to drowsiness at the wheel and distractions. At the same time, operators do not simply disappear — thus avoiding negative repercussions on employment — but are valued to the point that the cab is designed around them, leaving them free to configure the interior environment according to the moment, switching between direct or autonomous driving, relaxation, or office work.
According to Pierre Lahutte, president of Iveco, "it will radically change the horizon of long-distance freight transport. A sustainable system will emerge, characterised by vehicles with a low environmental impact and zero accidents. Iveco Z Truck can count on no fewer than 29 patents that allow the concept of a human-scale heavy vehicle to be introduced. Human in the sense of both driver and citizen." The intentions and technical foundations are compelling. Now… build it in series!