The commercial and passenger road transport industry converged for the second instalment of Innovation and Technology in Transport – ITT Hub last week, alongside the energy and technology sectors, to unveil the latest vehicle and tech launches, hear from government, collaborate, learn and do business within this fast-paced sector.

ITT Hub, which took place 11-12 May at Farnborough International’s world-class Exhibition and Conference Centre, saw 3,800 exhibitors, innovators, transport professionals, Government officials, thought leaders and sustainability experts gather to tackle the toughest challenges of the wider commercial transport industry – decarbonisation and the creation of a smarter more efficient transport eco system.

Thought Leadership & Policy

In addition to the specific knowledge hubs taking place throughout the event, the Logistics UK’s Future Logistics Conference was the thought leadership showcase of the event, bringing together some of the most influential and knowledgeable professionals in the transport sector.

Trudy Harrison MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport chose the Future Logistics Conference to announce that £200 million in government funding will be provided to continue its zero-emission HGV trials, which will help enable the logistics industry’s journey to decarbonisation. Minister Harrison also revealed that the Department for Transport (DfT) had that day published the full response to its public consultation on phase out dates for the sale of new, non-zero emission HGVs.

Entitled The Logistical Challenge of Reaching for the Stars, conference keynote speaker Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE spoke about her passion for space science, attracting and recruiting talent into the space, engineering and logistics sectors and tackling the mammoth challenge of achieving net zero.

Exhibition & Launches

Cementing ITT Hub’s position at the forefront of the industry, a host of industry leaders used the platform of the show to introduce new technology and vehicles to the international sector, including the new concept Renault Trucks e-tech Master Optimodale, Ilsebus’ launch of its I-City Max vehicle, based on the 70C 21 Iveco Chassis, and the launch of MICHELIN Connected Fleet in the UK, which brings all the fleet management services and solutions of the Michelin Group under one banner.

Alex Williams, Head of Brand & Communications at Renault Trucks UK & Ireland “We were delighted to take the opportunity of using ITT Hub as a platform to launch our industry-first multimodal last mile e-mobility concept, the Renault Trucks E-Tech Master OptiModale. Our press launch drew considerable attention and provided the industry focus we were looking for to bring this concept for cleaner, greener and more accessible urban deliveries to market.”

A new feature to the 2022 show floor, the Energy Theatre Hub hosted by commercial partner National Grid and Western Power Distribution provided three panel discussions each day with transport industry guests covering the latest topics affecting energy, sustainable fuels and infrastructure as the drive for net zero accelerates.

Commenting the opportunity to discuss challenges and solutions directly with the industry, Leigh Lipton, Stakeholder Communications Manager, UK Regulation at National Grid, said: “We need to work with the transport industry and ITT Hub was a perfect opportunity to have those conversations. I’m pleased to announce that we will be here again next year to enable the transition to net zero.”

Networking & Collaboration

Wrightbus announced a partnership with Australia’s Volgren to provide its ground-breaking hydrogen fuel cell powertrain technology for the manufacture of two zero-emission hydrogen single deck buses, which will be the first European-Australian hydrogen combination in the country.

New addition to ITT Hub, Cold Chain Hub, supported by TCS&D (Temperature Controlled Storage and Distribution), was a show highlight with over 30 leading brands driving interest from specialised and industry-wide buyers from the dry freight community. The impactful feature highlighted the increasing issue of decarbonising the cold chain sector, which produces double the emissions of the wider transport sector, and the commitment made from manufacturers and vendors to work to the common goal utilising new technology available.

Discussing the success of the 2022 event, Carlo Zoccali, Show Director at Farnborough International, said: “The atmosphere across ITT Hub this year was electric, with thanks to our commercial partners, exhibitors, and attendees.

“Since we acquired the show in 2021, our focus has been to establish ITT Hub’s position as the leading platform, news network and event connecting to the industry, from manufacturer to buyer and operator. We have been engaging and strengthening our partnerships with key government departments, national transport bodies and industry associations to do this and are thrilled with the outcomes of ITT Hub 2022.”

ITT Hub was supported by leading commercial partners, National Grid, Western Power Distribution (WPD), Zenobē, Lloyds Bank and Lex Autolease.

Regarded a ‘must-attend’ event by key players in the industry, ITT Hub will return on 10-11 May 2023.

For more information on the event, visit itthub.co.uk