Innovation in vehicle design, safety systems, logistics and consolidation dominated Freight in the City as never before. With politicians making commitments to decarbonisation of road transport and zero serious and fatal collisions the freight industry’s innovators are showing what is possible. Scania, one of the market leaders, displayed both diesel and hybrid (electric and ICE driven) for versions of its new L series HGV’s designed for urban use with low cabs, wide windscreens. Volta took that thinking a step further with their futuristic prototype that is fully electric and promises a 150 km range for the 18 tonne version. Trial models are promised for 2020 in Paris and London. Mercedes was showing off its 7.5 tonne eCanter fully electric lorry that is already in service with Hovis , DP, Wincanton and Yodel. The company told LCC that it has a ranger of 120 kms and a fast charge to 80% takes just an hour. The company is trailing 18 and 26 tonne electric vehicles in Germany and an all- electric version of the popular, 5 star direct vision, Econic is due in 2021. Mercedes also aims to make all its European truck plants carbon neutral by 2022. A presentation from Tevva, an eTruck maker and innovator spelled out the commercial gains from going electric: the savings on fuel exceed the higher leasing cost of the electric truck Dennis-Eagle displayed one to their fiver star direct vison construction lorries and were collaborating with Magtec who were repowering 26 tonne Dennis-Eagle diesel refuse lorries with electric motors powered by household waste in Sheffield LCC was out and about plugging its new lorry safety information website offering tips for both drivers and cyclists and we spotted representatives of both of our supporters Mobileye (sensor’s sold via the Spillards stand) and McGee (chatting on the Volvo stand). Volvo had two innovative UK first on display – an electric version (100 kms range) of its urban, high direct vision, FE lorry and a prototype, called Vera, of its autonomous electric lorry cab that is being trialled in Sweden – and which, on its own , looks more like a sports car. And, in a radical departure from previous years, Freight in the City featured a whole stand devoted to cargo-bikes - a disruptor that was cited, along with consolidation centres and more sophisticated road pricing, by the City of London in their forward looking presentation on freight solutions at the event. (link City Transport Strategy )