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Voltempo is developing a driverless 15.6-meter electric truck
Image: (c) Voltempo
British electromobility specialist Voltempo is working on an unconventional concept for autonomous freight transport. The company is developing a fully electric, driverless cabless truck that, at 15.6 meters (over 51 feet) long, will be significantly larger than today's rigid trucks. The first prototype is scheduled to be completed by September 2027.
British electromobility specialist Voltempo is working on an unconventional concept for autonomous freight transport. The company is developing a fully electric, driverless cabless truck that, at 15.6 meters (over 51 feet) long, will be significantly larger than today's rigid trucks. The first prototype is scheduled to be completed by September 2027.
No cab means more room for cargo
The concept features a five-axle rigid truck with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 42 metric tons. This exceeds the current standard limits for rigid trucks of 12 meters in length, 32 metric tons, and four axles. At 15.6 meters, the autonomous electric truck will be roughly the length of a motorcoach.
Key to the concept is the complete elimination of the driver's cab. This is designed to create both additional cargo space and a higher payload capacity. Voltempo founder Michael Boxwell therefore refers to the vehicle as a type of "smart trailer."
According to company calculations, the unladen weight of the vehicle is expected to be around 10 to 12 metric tons. Compared to a conventional tractor-trailer, Voltempo promises roughly 15 percent more cargo space and a 5 to 7 metric ton increase in usable payload.
42 metric tons on five axles
Voltempo also sees potential for efficiency gains in regular freight transport. According to Boxwell, a typical heavy-duty truck carries an average cargo load of around 16 metric tons. With the new vehicle concept, that figure could reach around 18.6 metric tons thanks to the extra space.
At the same time, the driverless truck would be about 1.5 meters shorter than a full-size tractor-trailer. Voltempo argues that the combination of higher cargo capacity and lower overall vehicle weight could ultimately help reduce the number of vehicles needed for certain transport tasks.
Berkeley Coachworks is building the prototype body, while the electric powertrain will be supplied by an unnamed established truck manufacturer.
Testing scheduled to begin late 2027
Completion of the first vehicle is slated for September 2027, after which testing will begin at an autonomous vehicle proving ground in South Wales. On-road testing on public streets is also planned down the line.
Voltempo expects the initial vehicles to operate on strictly defined routes. These routes would first need to be approved by local authorities. If operation proves successful, the area of application could then be expanded step by step.
Voltempo envisions starting production in late 2027, with initial deliveries slated for mid-2028. The first production models will be built in the UK, with manufacturing on the European mainland planned for a later stage.