Event organizers say the atmosphere at The Work Truck Show 2020 was electric – and not just because it was the show’s 20th anniversary. Electrification was a major theme of the event, as the commercial vehicle industry gathered for what has become the annual launching pad for new vocational trucks, vans, chassis, engines, bodies and equipment. Verified attendance at North America’s largest work truck event was 13,675, down slightly from last year’s record and the second best in the event’s history.
Work Truck Week took place March 3-6 at Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. For photos, videos, stories and more from the Show, visit worktruckshow.com/2020recap.
The buzz around electrification started in the weeks leading up to the event as several companies announced plans to debut new electric vehicles there. At the Show, Ford Commercial Vehicles announced its new all-electric Transit, XL Fleet introduced two new hybrid electric Chevrolet Silverado options, Morgan Olson unveiled its new Storm Class 2 step-van with both gasoline and electric powertrains, Motiv showcased its F-59 electrified chassis, Workhorse debuted its C650 all-electric step van, and Proterra and Freightliner Custom Chassis Corp. displayed its new MT50e all-electric delivery truck chassis.
In other sustainability news, Cummins announced the Cummins Westport B6.7N natural gas engine was recently certified to meet the optional Low NOx standard of 0.02 g/bhp-hr, which makes it “near zero” certified. Go Power! introduced a solar-powered auxiliary power system, Dynamo Solar Generator, enabling customers to run equipment without generators or idling. And Isuzu revealed two new “efficient and eco-friendly” gasoline engines for its N-Series trucks, a 6.6-liter V8 and 6.0-liter V8.
“I am constantly impressed by the new ideas innovators in our industry come up with to solve problems and simply design a more effective commercial vehicle,” said Steve Carey, NTEA president and CEO. “Work Truck Week is the culmination of the entire industry advancing lighter, stronger, safer, more-efficient and cleaner vehicles.”
Other products debuting at the Show ranged from equipment and accessories like an available new Digital Rearview Mirror on 2021 Ram ProMaster and ASA Electronics’ Voyager auto-calibrating 360-degree camera system, to full-size trucks like the new Crane Carrier Company Low Narrow Tilt Signature Chassis designed to be easier to maneuver through tight city alleys and the Mack MD Series of FET-exempt medium-duty trucks.
A verified 526 fleet managers, truck equipment distributors, upfitters and other industry professionals attended Green Truck Summit 2020 to gain insight into electric work truck deployment and learn strategies for creating more productive and innovative commercial vehicles. The Summit was held in conjunction with The Work Truck Show as part of Work Truck Week, kicking off March 3. All Show attendees had the opportunity to take the latest work trucks featuring clean, efficient and alternative fuel technologies for a spin during Work Truck Show Ride-and-Drive, March 4–5.
The Show brings together everyone who works with commercial vehicles, including truck OEMs; component, body and equipment manufacturers; upfitters and vehicle modifiers; dealers; distributors; and fleet customers. It returns to Indiana Convention Center March 9–12, 2021. Sign up to receive email updates about the event, including when registration opens in the fall, at worktruckshow.com/2021.
