The National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) was fortunate enough to host its 20th anniversary The Work Truck Show before the novel coronavirus pandemic hit the United States, forcing many organizations to cancel or postpone industry events—and it was an “electric” success, NTEA said.
Electrification was the theme for the 2020 event, which saw 13,675 stakeholders in the commercial vehicle industry come together at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis IN, where manufacturers also continued the tradition of launching new vocational trucks, vans, chassis, bodies and equipment.
NTEA said its verified attendance was down slightly from last year’s record, but still the second best in the event’s history.
Work Truck Week took place March 3-6. For photos, videos, stories and more, visit worktruckshow.com/2020recap.
The buzz around electrification started in the weeks leading up to the event as several companies announced plans to debut new electric vehicles. Ford Commercial Vehicles revealed its new all-electric Transit, XL Fleet introduced two new hybrid electric Chevrolet Silverado options, Morgan Olson unveiled its new Storm Class 2 step-van with both gasoline and electric powertrains, Motiv showcased its F-59 electrified chassis, Workhorse debuted its C650 all-electric step van, and Proterra and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation displayed their new MT50e all-electric delivery truck chassis.
In other sustainability news, Cummins uncovered its Westport B6.7N natural gas engine, which recently was certified to meet the optional Low NOx standard of 0.02 g/bhp-hr, which makes it “near zero” certified. Go Power! introduced a solar-powered auxiliary power system, the Dynamo Solar Generator, which allows customers to run equipment without generators or idling. Finally, Isuzu revealed two new “efficient and eco-friendly” gasoline engines for its N-Series trucks, a 6.6-liter V8 and 6.0-liter V8.
“I am constantly impressed by the new ideas innovators in our industry come up with to solve problems and simply design a more effective commercial vehicle,” said Steve Carey, NTEA president and CEO. “Work Truck Week is the culmination of the entire industry advancing lighter, stronger, safer, more-efficient and cleaner vehicles.”
Other products that debuted at WTS ranged from equipment and accessories like an available new Digital Rearview Mirror on 2021 Ram ProMaster and ASA Electronics’ Voyager auto-calibrating 360-degree camera system, to full-size trucks like the new Crane Carrier Company Low Narrow Tilt Signature Chassis designed to be easier to maneuver through tight city alleys and the Mack MD Series of FET-exempt medium-duty trucks.
NTEA said 526 fleet managers, truck equipment distributors, upfitters and other industry professionals attended Green Truck Summit 2020 to gain insight into electric work truck deployment and learn strategies for creating more productive and innovative commercial vehicles. The Summit was held in conjunction with The Work Truck Show as part of Work Truck Week. All Show attendees had the opportunity to take the latest work trucks featuring clean, efficient and alternative fuel technologies for a spin during Work Truck Show Ride-and-Drive.
The Work Truck Show is expected to return March 9-12, 2021, at the Indiana Convention Center. Visit worktruckshow.com/2021 for more information.
