Trucking in Europe: A whole different game

European roads are often a little different from America’s. The geography of the continent often makes for narrower highways and streets with very dense traffic in the cities. Maneuvering a large rig in this type of environment can be extremely tricky and not for the faint of heart. To compensate for these factors, it’s interesting to see how trucking has adapted to thrive in Europe, much as it does in the USA. A recent truck show overseas demonstrated some very interesting advances in European design.

Here are just some of the more intriguing items that made an appearance at the show:

1. Integrated tractor trailers. The industry is quickly making a move to these type of seamless trucks that improve fuel efficiency.

2. Captured electric energy. A new kinetic energy recovery system by Krone has a very clever way of distributing energy where needed while making good use of braking systems.

3. CO2 reefer units. These units assist air conditioners to help them be more environmentally friendly.

4. Hydraulically powered axles. This compressed oil feature helps deliver traction to tires while traveling at low speeds.

5. High-cube van with lifting roof. This system maximized storage as well as the ways cargo can be placed inside the trailers.

6. Safety tanker. This system helps protect drivers from injuries during the delivery of hot liquid asphalt.