From：Internet Info Agency 2026-08-19 22:12:10
UK-based electric vehicle company Voltempo is developing a 15.6-meter-long, cab-less, fully autonomous heavy-duty truck. The vehicle features a rigid (non-articulated) design and aims to extend the current UK legal maximum length for rigid trucks from 12 meters to 15.6 meters, while increasing the permissible gross vehicle weight from 32 tonnes to 42 tonnes. It will utilize a five-axle configuration. By eliminating the driver’s cab, the truck’s curb weight can be reduced to 10–12 tonnes—significantly lighter than conventional diesel articulated combinations (15–17 tonnes) and even battery-electric versions (approximately 19 tonnes). This design also increases cargo space by 15% and boosts payload capacity by 5–7 tonnes, raising average freight capacity from 16 tonnes to 18.6 tonnes. The bodywork is being manufactured by Berkeley Coachworks, while the powertrain is supplied by “a major truck manufacturer.” A prototype is scheduled for completion by September 2027, with testing set to begin later that year at the South Wales autonomous vehicle test facility. Under the UK’s Automated Vehicles Act, which took effect in 2024, subsequent trials may expand onto public roads. Voltempo plans to commence mass production by the end of 2027, with initial deliveries expected in mid-2028. Production will initially take place in the UK, prioritizing British transport operators before expanding to mainland Europe. All major European truck manufacturers have expressed support for formally classifying this vehicle type and producing it according to these specifications.
