Articles by James Stanford

The Japanese carmaker revealed the futuristic e-NV200 concept at the Detroit Motor Show earlier this month. It's due to go on sale in the US in 2013 and could even come to Australia. Nissan has already started running prototypes of the all-electric van, but this is the first time it has shown what the production vehicle could look like. The e-NV200 shown in Detroit was officially a concept vehicle, but it is expected the production vehicle will look very similar. It is has a lot in common with the production NV200 van, which is on sale in Europe and will soon be the vehicle of choice in New York's taxi fleet. But instead of a petrol or diesel engine, the e-NV200 instead takes on the electric powertrain of the Leaf hatch, which is due to be introduced in Australia in the middle of this year. While the regular NV200 van is unlikely to come to Australia due to the incredibly competitive nature of the van market, there is a chance the electric version will be sold as a premium green commercial vehicle. Nissan Australia says the eco-friendly van could be part of its electric vehicle range, alongside the Leaf hatch, an electric sedan (most likely badged as an Infiniti) and an electric Nissan sports coupe. If the e-NV200 was given the green light, it would likely arrive after the US launch introduction which could mean a local launch date as far away as 2014. The smart city hauler has an 80kW motor that also generates a maximum of 280Nm and is fed by a lithium ion battery pack. One major advantage is that all the torque is available as soon as the driver presses the accelerator. Nissan is aiming for large and small companies with the e-NV200 van, but the owners will need to keep in mind the range will be limited to a maximum range of 120km and recharging time could affect its operation.

A group of Danish companies has come up with an electric mini truck that gets its power from an advanced fuel cell system. The EcoMotion truck can go about its work and maintain the serenity of its surroundings thanks to a fuel cell power generation system that runs on methanol and allows it to run silently.  Even better, the EcoMotion truck even provides enough power to run electric garden tools such as hedge trimmers and lawn mowers. A fuel cell basically generates electricity on board a vehicle by using a chemical reaction.  Many car companies, and even small truck developers, are developing fuel cell systems that use hydrogen as the source fuel for the reaction, although there are still some issues to overcome including storage and infrastructure. Instead, the fuel cell in the EcoMotion truck uses methanol, which is then reformed into a gas that is rich in hydrogen. It is the first fuel cell system running on reformed methanol to be available commercially according to its developer, Danish company Serenergy.  The EcoMotion has a 10 litre fuel tank and is able to run continuously for up to seven days straight, although the duration of operation is dependent on how it is being used. Methanol is a type of alcohol, although it is toxic unlike ethanol, and is produced using natural gas.  Work is being done to generate methanol using renewable materials such as biomass and household rubbish, which would make such fuel cells even greener. As for the EcoMotion, it has passed its first test working at the Holstebro Cemetery in Denmark.   The cemetery caretaker, Erik Sovndal, says he was initially hesitant to take on the test truck for a six month trial, but is now a big fan. "We think this vehicle has three key advantages: It is environmentally friendly, quiet and it does not need constant recharging," he says.  "The truck also makes our daily work easier and it gives our visitors a quiet walk around the cemetery."

The Chinese ute promises a 'royal and comfortable' driving experience and is already on sale in China. Jac will export it to Australia, joining haulers from Great Wall, Foton and ZX Auto.It's called the Reni and is a Toyota Hilux size ute available as a crew  cab now, but will also be made as a single cab. Sydney-based White Motor Corporation (WMC) will distribute the new ute in Australia.The company already imports buses from Higer and is about to launch JAC light trucks this March. It will expand its footprint with one Higer van and two JAC vans during the middle of the year. WMC was deep in negotiations to import a ute from JAC rival brand Foton, but negotiations fell over when the parties could not agree on pricing. Within weeks of knocking back the Foton Tunland ute distribution deal,  WMC was surprised when JAC management confirmed it would make the Reni ute available for Australia from the end of next year.Given the quality issues that have pushed back the launch of the JAC light truck range,  which was initially slated for a mid-2011 launch, that could stretch out  to the first half of 2013.Still, it is a considerable commitment to build the Reni for Australia given the ute is currently only produced as a left-hand-drive model. The Reni, often referred to as the Pick-Up in China, will be offered as a two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive with a manual transmission to start off with, while an automatic will join the line-up later.The Reni runs JAC engines, instead of being fitted-out with a Cummins powerplant as is the case with JAC light trucks and large vans.  A 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel manages 68kW and 210Nm, while a 2.3-litre petrol four-cylinder generates 78kW and 190Nm. JAC, which is short for Jianghuai Auto Company, is especially strong in the truck market in China, but also produces a full range of passenger cars.

... the Detroit Motor Show next week. The VIA Motors workhorses, along with a big SUV, will be presented by the former Vice Chairman of General Motors, Bob Lutz, who now consults for Lotus Cars and VIA.  Given Lutz's role in developing the extended range Chevrolet Volt, he is seen as the perfect spokesmen for the relatively small green vehicle brand. "VIA Motors has developed the first extended range electric powertrain capable of replacing the V8 engine," Lutz says.  "It was my great privilege to introduce the Chevy Volt, and it will be agreat honour to introduce the world's first line of eREV trucks, vans and SUVs by VIA Motors."  The VIA MOTORS vehicles are General Motors products that are then adapted with using eco-friendly technology. The ute to be presented at Detroit is a converted Silverado. It features lithium ion batteries and an electric motor that gives it a range of 64km. When the batteries run low, the original 4.6-litre GM petrol V6 kicks in to generate enough electricity to keep the truck going. The system is very similar in operation to the Volt small hatch. VIA Motors says the ute has a combined range of 644km.  "This new breed of full size utility vehicles can deliver the power and performance of a V8, with better fuel economy than many smaller cars, by driving on electricity for about $2 a day," says former GM chief and current VIA Motors chief, Alan Perriton.  "It actually costs less to own and operate a clean VIA electrified truck or SUV than a gas truck," he says. Production of the extended range electric ute will commence this year, although VIA Motors has not confirmed the date of introduction.  The company says it plans to build up to a yearly production total of 20,000 of eREV extended range electric utes, vans and SUVs during the next few years.

That's the message from truck drivers concerned about keeping the roads safe this holiday period.It might seem harmless to slip into that gap in front of a truck to save time, but that is one of the single-most dangerous things to do in the vicinity of a truck.As TNT Express delivery driver Eddie Sullivan says: "Trucks take much longer to stop than cars, so it's important not to cut into the gap in front of a truck as they slow for traffic lights, or out on the highway," he says."For every 5km/h a truck travels, it needs a space equivalent to its length to stop -- that's a lot of space, particularly if a truck is doing 100km/h," Sullivan adds.Delivery drivers from TNT Express are so concerned with the potential for more carnage on Australian roads this holiday season that they have come up some tips aimed at helping motorists stay safe.Don't cut in: leave enough space in all conditions and never pull over in front of a truck trying to slow for a red light.Don't overtake a turning vehicle: Due to their length, a truck is allowed to turn from the centre lane in order to get around a corner. Don't go up the inside.Overtake with care: Remember a truck is longer than a car, so you can be exposed in the on-coming lane of a country road for longer.Maintain your speed: Don't accelerate when a truck passes, maintain your speed or slow a little.Be more careful on wet roads: Increase the distance between you and other vehicles in the wet.Be considerate at roundabouts: Truck drivers try to keep their rigs moving, slowly, when entering roundabouts. This is because stopping and starting a truck takes time and affects traffic flow. Please keep this in mind.So especially for the holiday period – but really every time you’re on the road – remember how long it takes for a truck to slow down for your car. And then also remind yourself how big those trucks are compared to your car.

Great Wall utes are about to face a great big challenge with two new Chinese rivals scheduled to arrive in Australia in 2012. The workhorse haulers, the ZX Auto GrandTiger and Foton Tunland, have both been confirmed for local sale and are expected to both go on sale in March.  Foton currently has a presence in Australia with the Aumark light duty truck, which is imported by TransPacific Industries, the company that also brings in Western Star, Dennis Eagle and MAN rigs.  The Foton ute and the passenger vehicles that are expected to follow will instead be brought into the country by Gold Coast company, FAA Automotive Australia, which picked up the rights after rival importer WMC said the utes would have been too expensive to be compete in the cut-throat Australian commercial vehicle market.  It is expected the 4x2 Tunlander dual cab will cost more than the bargain basement Great Wall V240, which is $22,990, with a price tag closer to $30,000. There will also be a 4x4 version as well as a single cab.  The Tunlander is powered by a 2.8-litre Cummins diesel, which is made in China by Cummins rather than under licence, and should give customers confidence.  ZX Auto's Gran Tiger will be brought into Australia by Perth-based Chinese Automotive Distributors, which is also preparing to import the Geely brand. The GrandTiger is powered by the same Mitsubishi-sourced 2.4-litre four cylinder petrol engine that is used by Great Wall.  A diesel option is offered in China although it is not clear whether it will be available in Australia. CAD is not ready to discuss pricing, but the GranTiger is expected to be closer to the Great Wall product than the Foton ute.  The company says Prodrive, which part owns Ford Performance Vehicles, has helped make some alterations to the aid the ride and handling of the Grand Tiger.

The Nissan Navara has been hit from all sides with new one-tonne ute arrivals such as the Ford Ranger, Mazda BT-50 and Volkswagen Amarok, but is still able to hold its ground.  This writer has had access to a 4x4 ST-X crew cab for a few months and I've found it to be practical machine that shines in some areas and is

Smart, the company that produces tiny For Two city car is toying with the idea of building a modern day version of the iconic Suzuki ute.The eco-friendly arm of Mercedes-Benz has released sketches of a concept ute it intends to reveal at next month's Detroit Motor Show. Smart says its special concept vehicle, dubbed the For Us, challenges the idea of what an urban `pick-up' should look like.It certainly is smaller than any other ute available in the US, measuring just 3547mm from nose to tail. The For Us is 1506mm tall and 1701mm wide.Smart says it is the compact nature of the For Us and especially its narrow width that would enable it to reach destinations that out of bounds for cars including "isolated park trails". It would also be able to drive into areas that could ban vehicles with regular combustion engine, such as the centres of some large cities, because the For Us is powered by an electric motor.Using a similar set-up to the For Two Electric Drive, which is due to be launched early next year, the For Us concept uses a 55kW motor with 130Nm of torque fed by a lithium-ion battery with a 17.6kWh capacity.Smart says the For Us shouldn't have any trouble keeping up on highways as it would have a top speed of 120km/h. Don't expect to get too much in the tray because it is less than 1 metre long (900mm). However, the Smart's electronically operated tailgate does slide down out of the way so long items can be placed on the bed.The two-seat cabin is futuristic, with a smart phone cradle replacing the rear-view mirror. A rear-mounted camera captures what is happening the vehicle and the footage is shown on the phone's display.The Smart ute sits up higher off the ground compared to For Two hatch and has a slightly masculine design theme. Smart adds that the concept car has a "friendly but assertive" face. There is no word on whether the For Us could end up in production or whether it is simply a fun design study.

... across the Ford Transit van range next January. Ford Australia introduced a similar version of the 2.2-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel as an Econetic model this year, but it was only available as front-drive variant. The economical engine will be rolled out across the whole Transit range, replacing a 2.4-litre unit, and the Econetic model will be dropped as a result. Ford says the new engine will significantly reduce fuel consumption across the range. In most cases it should save operators a litre of diesel for every 100km travelled going by official fuel economy figures. While it drinks less than the larger engine it replaces, the new TDCi diesel also delivers more power and torque. There will be two different versions of the new 2.2-litre engine, one for the front-wheel drive Transit and another for the rear-wheel drive model. The front-drive state of tune delivers 7kW and 30Nm more torque than the previous 2.2 unit for a total of 92kW and 330Nm. The new engine means the rear-drive Transit now has 11kW more power and 10Nm more torque for totals of 114kW and 385Nm. CO2 emissions have dropped to a class leading 189g/km. Ford has made a series of minor changes to improve the fuel economy of the engine, but has not gone as far as introducing a stop-start system that kills the engine at traffic lights. Ford Australia president Bob Graziano is confident the new engine will be well received. "I'm certain our Transit customers will welcome the arrival of this new 2.2 TDCi engine and its many benefits," he says. "The additional power and torque will make driving more enjoyable and the increased efficiency is sure to make a difference at the bowser."

RMIT has pulled the covers of a new fuel cell Scania that might be small, but has great potential. The little rig is not much more than a metre in length but contains important technology that could change the way trucks are fuelled in Australia.  Instead of using diesel, the advanced test model transforms hydrogen into electricity, which turns the wheels using electric motors. It operates silently and produces no exhaust pipe emissions. The system could even do away with diesel generators that provide energy for refrigerated trucks, says RMIT sustainable energy associate professor, John Andrews.  "Trucks parked overnight wouldn't need to have a diesel generator going all the time because the fuel cell could provide the energy needed for the cooling system," he says. A handful of fuel cell trucks are being developed in the US, but the RMIT truck uses new technology that does away with the problematic storage systems housing hydrogen compressed to as much as 700bar. The RMIT system uses cutting edge solid state storage that absorbs and later releases hydrogen using a compound made up of tiny metal particles (metal hydrides). The truck would still need large hydrogen tanks, but their exact size is yet to be determined.  A lot of work is being put into the development of fuel cell cars, but the RMIT team viewed an emission-free truck as an important goal for Australia. The head of RMIT's aerospace, mechanical and manufacturing engineering school, professor Aleksandar Subic, says: "For residents worried about fumes and noise, the prospect of a silent, zero-emission truck is exciting."  The team is testing its design using the remote controlled fuel cell test truck, simulating runs between Sydney and Melbourne. It would like to extend its research with an industry partner interested in working with RMIT to build a full size test truck.