Over 14,000 truck industry professionals descended on the International Centre in Toronto for Truck World recently.
“It’s wonderful to see Truck World back to pre-pandemic numbers, both in attendance and exhibit space,” says Joe Glionna, president, Newcom.
“While the freight market might be in a lull, you certainly did not sense that with the activity and excitement on the show floor. The feedback related to our increased emphasis on ‘green tech’ has been positive and we look to continue the trend at ExpoCam in February next year.”
Over 500 exhibitors showcased their newest products, technologies, best practices, and trendsetting options, in the five halls of the center. Exhibitors included International Truck, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Mack Trucks, Volvo Trucks, Nikola, Daimler Truck North America, Michelin, Bridgestone, and many others.
GREENTECH
New for 2024 was the Greentech Pavilion, which highlighted innovative technologies, alternative fuels, sustainable equipment, and green products in the truck space. In addition to the 100,000 square-feet of dedicated space, the pavilion included an education stage, and ride and drive.
“With transportation accounting for 21 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada, the need to prioritize sustainable trucking options and fuel alternatives has never been more pressing,” says Glionna.
“From new hydrogen and battery-electric models for both short- and long-haul requirements, to low-emission diesel technologies, this year’s show proves that ‘sustainability’ and ‘trucking’ can go hand in hand.”
The education stage had industry experts speak about topics, including Hydrogen Hopes: The future of fuel-cell-electric vehicles and injected hydrogen, with Mike Gomes, Bison Transport; Michael Procter, cellcentric; Ryan Sookhoo, Cummins; and Philip Turi, ITD Industries. Nearing Zero: The role for diesel alternatives like CNG, LNG, and RNG, with Jonathan Royal, CAT; Bruce Winchester, Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance; and Kyle Cooper, Enbridge. Zero is the New 100 percent: Pathway to Zero Emissions and 100 percent Fossil Fuel-Free by Govi Kannan, Mack Trucks. Futureproof Your Fleet, with Matt Brunette, Partners in Project Green; Terry Rasmussen, Refuel Energy; Tariq Qurashi, Enbridge Gas; and Gupar Punia, Change Energy Services. Supply Lines: Planning charging infrastructure from energy supplies to the connectors, with Mark Marmer, Signature Electric Contacting and Energy Advisors; Keegan Tully, PowerON Energy Solutions; Emmanuelle Toussaint, Cleo Innovations; and Theresa Cooke, Siemens.
RIDE AND DRIVE
Also new for 2024, a ride and drive was added to allow attendees with the proper license to drive the latest vehicles with hydrogen, battery, and electric powertrains.
Vehicles that were available to test drive, included:
- Nikola TRE Fuel Cell EV
- Nikola Tre BEV
- Lion6 (Lion Electric)
- International LT 625 Sleeper with S13 Integrated Powertrain (International Truck)
- Peterbilt 220EV 595553
- RIZON e18L-JL6CCK13XRK001383
(Velocity EV / RIZON Truck) - VMC1200 Truck, with Box (Vicinity Motor Corporation)
- VMC1200 Truck, with Flat Deck (Vicinity Motor Corporation)
- Orange EV – HUSK-e Electric Shunt Truck
- Mercedes-Benz ESprinter 170 Cargo Van 2024
VIP BREAKFEST
A VIP breakfast included a keynote presentation by Nikola’s executive panel. Moderated by John G. Smith, vice president of content and design, Newcom; the Nikola panel included Christian Appel, global head, product and programs; Ryan Clayton, global head, sales; Jason Roycht, head, FCEV market development; and Jorg Wimbert, head, Canada. The fireside chat looked at BEVs, fuel cells, and infrastructure needs.
MORE FEATURES
Truck World also included hat day, where attendees were each given a hat provided by exhibitors; South Asian day, celebrating the community’s contribution to trucking; Trucks for Changes food drive; and North American Council for Freight Efficiency workshop, spoke about Electrify Your Commercial Vehicles: A Truck World Workshop;
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Mario Cywinski is the editor of Modern Work Truck Solutions and has worked in the automotive industry for nearly 20 years, both as an automotive journalist and working for a local dealership. He is a member of the Automobile Journalist Association of Canada and has been a judge for the Canadian Truck King Challenge. He can be reached at mario@mwsmag.com.
