The ‘International Truck Show’ – IAA Transportation In Hannover, Germany

Sets New Records In 2024 And Showcases Net-Zero Industry Focus

IAA Transportation, also known as the ‘international truck show’ was held last week over the 17th and 22nd of September in Hannover, Germany.

It is widely regarded as the global leading platform for the commercial vehicle, logistics, and transport sectors. This year, approximately 145,000 attendees visited and saw 1,700 exhibitors from over 40 countries. Visitor and exhibitor numbers were in double-digit percentage increases on the previous show, and overall the show featured over 145 world and European exhibitor product premieres.

HVIA CEO Todd Hacking and HVIA Chief Technical Officer Adam Ritzinger both attended and were joined by HVIA Board Director Rob Smedley. Todd, Adam, and Rob were very pleased to see strong attendance from Australia, not only from HVIA’s members, but also the wider trucking and transport industry.

“It was incredibly encouraging to compare Australia’s premiere trucking industry event, the Brisbane Truck Show, with IAA”, noted Todd. “We certainly punch above our weight, and our entire industry can be very proud of the fact that we put on a show that achieves almost one-third of the visitors of the international show, but with only half the number of days”.

Without doubt, the strongest theme at the conference was decarbonisation technology and innovation. The European Parliament recently regulated that almost all new trucks sold in 2040 will have to be zero-emission, which means that the conversations on freight and transport in Europe have now switched from ‘low and reduced emissions’, to focus on ‘net zero transport’.

“This crucial mindset shift will undoubtedly accelerate the decarbonisation transition in Europe”, noted Adam. “At the show, we saw an incredible number of products and partnerships spanning charging and refuelling, truck and trailer technology, battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell and combustion”, he added. “We certainly have the opportunity locally to leverage from the lessons learned in Europe, even though we don’t have similar regulatory targets”.

Trailer manufacturers are in the spotlight as well, having their own specific target – a 10% reduction of 2025 emissions levels by 2030. That target has led to a strong number of innovative powered axle and powered trailer solutions on display at the show, as well as the release of several solar panel and battery solutions.

“While Europe might be the centre of the trucking technology world, our visit to the IAA strongly reinforced Australia’s presence near the front-runners in terms of research and design, innovation, and manufacturing quality”, Rob said. “Many locals we spoke to are in awe of our innovative multi-combination and trailer solution, and the impressive freight efficiency they allow us to achieve”, he added.

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