Voltempo Unveils Cabless Autonomous Electric Truck to Boost Freight Efficiency

Voltempo has unveiled a concept for a cabless, driverless autonomous rigid electric truck designed to redefine heavy goods transport. The project aims to maximize payload and operational efficiency by stripping away the traditional driver's cab entirely.

Developed as part of the eFreight 2030 consortium, the vehicle is described as a "box on wheels." By removing the cab, the design increases the vehicle's length from a standard 12 metres to 15.6 metres. This structural shift also boosts the gross vehicle weight capacity from 32 tonnes to 42 tonnes. Berkeley Coachworks is currently constructing the prototype body for the project.

The eFreight 2030 Initiative

The project is a central component of the wider eFreight 2030 initiative, which seeks to accelerate the adoption of electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) and megawatt charging infrastructure across the UK. This effort is critical for the region to meet its net-zero emissions targets. To support these goals, the eFreight 2030 consortium will receive £49.2 million in public funding as one of four projects under the UK government's Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme.

Redefining Freight Architecture

Removing the cab is not merely a space-saving measure but a strategic move to eliminate aerodynamic drag and unnecessary vehicle mass. These factors are primary obstacles in extending the range of electric trucks, which are often limited by battery weight and energy consumption. Michael Boxwell, Voltempo founder and corporate development officer, noted that removing the cab effectively creates a 15.6-metre long semi-trailer. Martin Rees, CEO of Berkeley Coachworks, emphasized the goal of making the "box on wheels" more efficient both aerodynamically and operationally.

This approach represents a fundamental shift in logistics engineering. Rather than adapting diesel-era vehicle formats for electric powertrains, Voltempo is creating purpose-built autonomous electric freight vehicles. Such a transition could significantly lower operating costs and increase profitability for logistics operators by optimizing the ratio of vehicle weight to cargo capacity.

Future Outlook

As the prototype moves toward completion, the industry will be watching how the cabless format integrates into existing logistics networks and regulatory frameworks. While the technical advantages of the "box on wheels" are clear in terms of capacity and drag, the transition to fully driverless rigid trucks will require significant infrastructure and legal alignment. The success of the ZEHID-funded project will likely serve as a bellwether for the viability of purpose-built autonomous HGVs in the UK market.