Smiles and handshakes were all around when Work Truck Week® returned to Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, March 8–11. North America’s largest work truck event felt more like a long-awaited reunion than a trade show. A verified 12,696 industry professionals gathered in person for the first time in two years.
NTEA – The Association for the Work Truck Industry annually produces Work Truck Week, which includes The Work Truck Show® and Green Truck Summit. Last year’s event was virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Work Truck Week has always been the commercial vehicle industry hub, but this year felt extra special in light of everything we have been through since March 2020,” says Steve Carey, NTEA president and CEO. “People were excited to be together, shake hands, share ideas, and explore the latest trucks, equipment, and technology. In many ways, it delivered the sense of normalcy that our industry needed.”
Overall event attendance was down about 7% versus 2020; however Green Truck Summit, a full-day program on clean energy trends, set a record with a verified 835 participants. That’s an increase of more than 58%. The Summit brings together government representatives, educators, fleets, and manufacturers to provide updates on the industry’s path to zero emissions.
AT THE SHOW
The path to zero emissions wound through The Work Truck Show exhibit hall, where electric vehicles and charging dominated the product introductions. The Shyft Group introduced Blue Arc EV Solutions, a new brand offering a trio of initial product offerings: a purpose-built commercial EV chassis, an all-electric Class 3 walk-in van, and a fully portable remote-controlled charging station called the Power Cube. Additionally, Ford Pro announced new charging hardware launching alongside the 2022 E-Transit all-electric cargo van currently shipping to dealers and 2022 F-150 Lightning Pro all-electric pickup arriving this spring. SEA Electric introduced the Class 6 SV6 EV step van powered by its SEA-Drive system and designed for last-mile delivery. Further, The Lion Electric Company announced partnerships with upfitters to provide fully electrified body options for its Lion6 zero-emission truck.
Morgan Truck Body debuted its electrified refrigerated concept truck body on the Lion6 chassis. It also debuted a prototype 24-ft dry freight cargo van body on a Navistar electric chassis. Ram Commercial unveiled the new 2023 Ram ProMaster and announced that in 2023 it will introduce a battery-electric ProMaster. The battery-electric ProMaster is designed with input from Amazon to include last-mile delivery features. Chevrolet Commercial Vehicles showcased its 2024 Silverado EV fully electric truck and highlighted the fleet-oriented WT model. Other “green” news included announcements related to customer adoptions of propane and biodiesel.
Hundreds of event attendees participated in the Work Truck Week Ride & Drive March 9–10. Ride & Drive featured 19 commercial vehicles with the latest advanced technologies, sustainability offerings, and alternative fuel applications. Participants drove many of the vehicles on city streets.
WANT MORE?
For more Work Truck Week coverage, including press releases from exhibitors holding press conferences, photos, videos, and educational session recaps, visit worktruckweek.com/coverage. Attendees who purchased a Green Truck Summit or Work Truck Week Conference Package can access on-demand educational content through April 13 by logging in to their WTW22 Planner at wts22.mapyourshow.com/8_0/login/login.cfm and selecting On-demand.
Work Truck Week returns to Indiana Convention Center March 7–10, 2023. Sign up to receive email updates about the event, including when registration opens in the fall, at worktruckweek.com/wtw23signup.
