This article was published in the April 2019 edition of NTEA News.
The Work Truck Show Ride-and-Drive, held March 6 and 7, gave participants the chance to test-drive or ride in vehicles with advanced technologies and alternative fuel applications.
Ride-and-Drive sponsor
Featured companies and vehicles
Altec Industries
Lightweight fiberglass enclosed body with translucent roof and configurable interior storage designs.
Aluminum Industries
Comtruk SUB®: RAM ProMaster with all-new drop-side flatbed
Comtruk Sport Utility Bed (SUB) is the new industry standard for chassis cab flatbeds with drop-side capability. Engineered to accept the most popular brands of accessories, configure it to carry ladders, water tanks, timber, tools, and more. Operable gates can be lowered to 90 or 180 degrees, or easily removed. Ergonomic gate release handles, integrated safety steps and assist handles allow users to do more with less effort and risk.
Comtruk SUB: Ford Ranger with all-new drop-side flatbed
Comtruk’s SUB is the new generation of pickup bed with operable gates. Made of light and durable industrial-grade alloy, it saves on fuel, resists corrosion and delivers a longer service life. It offers flatter floor space compared to a standard pickup bed, allowing it to haul more. Integrated steps and handles, and easy-to-operate side gates and tailgate, increase system flexibility and enable safer loading practices. Gates can even be locked in place at 90 degrees and turned into a worksite workbench.
Hino Trucks
Hino COE 195H electric hybrid truck (also available with a clean diesel powertrain). This 19,500-pound gross vehicle weight Class 5 truck features 210 horsepower and 440 foot-pounds of torque from Hino’s 5-liter J05E Series engine, utilizing Aisin’s A465 six-speed automatic transmission. It features a 33-inch-wide, 56,900-PSI frame with center-mounted rear fuel tank.
Isuzu Commercial Truck of America Inc.
Isuzu FTR, a Class 6 LCF truck offering the right combination of performance, maneuverability, dependability and efficiency. Available in eight wheelbases accommodating bodies up to 30 feet in length.
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America Inc.
FUSO successfully developed and delivered the industry’s first all-electric truck in series production. eCanter changes the urban landscape by providing zero tailpipe emissions, while eliminating the noise of traditionally powered medium-duty trucks. These first-generation series-produced trucks can achieve a range of 60–80 miles, with advanced charging capabilities of one-to-two hours via a DC fast-charge option.
SEA Electric
SEA Electric is an automotive technology company offering proprietary battery-electric power-system technology for the commercial vehicle sector. SEA Electric developed seven SEA-Drive™ power-systems to electrify the distribution vehicle segment of the automotive industry, from vans to 55,000-pound rigid trucks. At Ride-and-Drive, SEA Electric showcased an Isuzu NRR with SEA-Drive propulsion system.
Tropos Technologies Inc.
The Tropos Motors ABLE product line of electric compact utility vehicles is durable, versatile and available with large payload and towing capacities. Safe to operate indoors, outdoors and off-road, ABLE and ABLE XR can function in extremely tight quarters with a short wheelbase and 13-foot turning radius, between ballards and on sidewalks at 55 inches wide, and inside of parking garages at 6 feet, 5 inches tall.
XL | Fleet Electrification
Attendees had the chance to drive the first hybrid electric Ford F-250 pickup truck from XL. XL’s hybrid electric drive system upfits (XLH) can improve factory Ford vehicle fuel economy by 25 percent, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent. The electrification system operates in parallel with the gas-powered engine and provides an electric assist during acceleration.
Zenith Motors
Zenith Motors manufactures 100-percent electric shuttle, cargo and step vans — working with government agencies and commercial fleets to reduce operating costs. The company has saved clients $100,000+ over the operational life of a vehicle by eliminating the cost of gasoline, decreasing cost of maintenance and maximizing uptime between scheduled services. Zenith Electric Vehicles have 80-, 100- and 135-mile, zero-emission ranges.