The British electric vehicle pioneer, Voltempo, is in the process of crafting a groundbreaking 15.6-meter-long, cab-less autonomous non-articulated heavy-duty truck. The innovative design aims to maximize loading space and cargo capacity by doing away with the traditional cab and extending the vehicle's body. The prototype is set to stretch to 15.6 meters in length, tip the scales at 42 tons in gross weight, and boast a five-axle configuration.

Berkeley Coachworks will be responsible for manufacturing the vehicle body, while a leading truck manufacturer will supply the powertrain. The prototype is slated for completion by September 2027, with testing to kick off later that same year. Following successful testing, the truck could potentially hit the regular roads, with mass production penciled in for the end of 2027 and the first deliveries anticipated in mid-2028.

This all-electric 'smart trailer' will boast a reduced self-weight of 10-12 tons, offering a 15% increase in loading space compared to standard trailers and an additional payload capacity of 5-7 tons. Despite its enhanced capabilities, it will be 1.5 meters shorter in overall length than articulated heavy-duty trucks. All European truck manufacturers have thrown their weight behind its inclusion in official vehicle classifications.

Initially, the mass-produced version will roll off the assembly line in the UK before making its way to continental Europe. UK transport companies are poised to be the first to embrace this cutting-edge technology.