Aeolus Truck & Driver News

Ford Trucks and Canada’s Ballard Power Systems are collaborating to develop a hydrogen fuel cell powered truck based on the award-winning Ford Trucks F-MAX model.

The companies have signed a letter of intent for two of Ballard’s FCmove-XD 120kW fuel cells to be used during prototype truck development.

Ford Trucks, the global brand of Turkey-based Ford Otosan, plans to integrate the fuel cells into the F-MAX 44-tonne long-haul tractor truck. The development will be done in Turkey with the aim to begin European Ten-T corridor demonstrations in 2025 as part of the European Union’s Horizon Europe ZEFES (Zero Emission Freight EcoSystem) project goals.

In the...

Several electric loaders, a 90-tonne electric offroad dump truck and a fully electric refrigerated semi-trailer are among 19 new transport projects receiving support in the latest rounds of Low Emission Transport Fund announcements.

The 19 projects are from two Low Emission Transport Fund (LETF) rounds covering the maritime sector, as well as off-road equipment and new technology. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) says a total of $6.4 million in Government funding will leverage $18.2 million in applicant investment in new technologies.

“Whilst electric cars are taking off, a significant amount of fossil fuels are used in marine and off-r...

Competitors in next year’s Dakar Rally will face a gruelling two week challenge in the deserts and mountains of Saudi Arabia.

The 46th edition of the world’s toughest Rally Raid event is the fifth to be held in Saudi Arabia. The start on January 5 is from the 1000-year-old city of Al Ula, and the Dakar will cross the country in the direction of the `Empty Quarter’ and then loop back to finish in Yanbu on the shores of the Red Sea on January 19. 

The rally itinerary includes a Prologue stage and 12 special stages, the longest being a 600km marathon stage in the `Empty Quarter’ desert region with no service support. The route will include 5,000km of spe...

Two of New Zealand’s largest transport firms and the success of females working in road transport roles were recognised at the New Zealand Road Transport Industry Awards function in Lower Hutt on June 29.

The major awards night accolade announced at the Lower Hutt Events Centre dinner function went to HW Richardson Group.

The Southland-based company, New Zealand’s largest privately owned company, was named winner of the VTNZ Supreme Contribution to New Zealand Transport award.

CEO Anthony Jones, who leads the HWR Group workforce of 2700 running a fleet of 1300 vehicles, accepted the award from sponsor Greg O’Connor of VTNZ.

Five other awards ...

Registrations have opened for the truck show being staged as the main public attraction at the 100 Years of Kenworth celebration early next year.

Southpac Trucks has opened the online KW100 registration portal on its website for the Saturday February 3 event at the Mystery Creek Events Centre near Hamilton.

The Mystery Creek venue offers nine hectares of space, enough room to park about 1500 trucks.

The Kenworth-only show will eclipse any single brand truck show previously staged in New Zealand – including the turnout of 301 Kenworths hosted by Southpac Trucks at Mt Maunganui’s to celebrate 50 Years of Kenworth in New Zealand.

To allow partici...