Voltempo unveils cabless, driverless electric truck with 15% more cargo space
Summary
Voltempo has revealed a cabless, driverless electric truck concept that offers up to 15 percent more cargo volume and 5-7 tonnes extra payload compared to conventional rigs. The prototype, slated for completion by September 2027, will use an undisclosed major manufacturer's electric powertrain and target fixed logistics routes to address driver shortages.
Voltempo describes its concept as a “Smart Trailer”. The vehicle will feature a continuous, rigid structure and, at 15.6 metres in length, will significantly exceed the current UK maximum of twelve metres permitted for lorries with a fixed chassis. Autocar reports it is designed with five axles and a permissible gross weight of 42 tonnes.
By eliminating the driver’s cab, Voltempo aims to save weight and space. According to company founder Michael Boxwell, the concept is expected to offer around 15 per cent more cargo volume than a conventional trailer and an additional five to seven tonnes of payload. Voltempo estimates the vehicle’s weight at ten to twelve tonnes, compared to around 19 tonnes for a conventional electric articulated lorry.
The prototype is being built by Berkeley Coachworks, while the electric powertrain will be supplied by a major lorry manufacturer that has not yet been named. No further details about the battery, range, or charging capacity have been released so far. The prototype is scheduled for completion by September 2027, after which tests are planned on a route designated for autonomous vehicles in South Wales. Public road trials may follow at a later stage.
Voltempo states that production could begin as early as late 2027, with deliveries expected by mid-2028. Initially, the vehicles will be manufactured in the UK, with production expanding to mainland Europe later. The company sees fixed logistics routes as the primary application for the vehicle. In addition to increased transport capacity, autonomous operation is intended to help address the driver shortage.
Autonomous electric lorries edge closer
Voltempo is not alone in this space. The Swedish startup Einride has also developed an autonomous electric lorry, the Gen 2 Rigid Large, which has since been renamed the eBot. However, its dimensions and weight remain undisclosed. While the eBot is still a prototype, Einride has primarily generated revenue by supplying conventional electric lorries to logistics companies. Recently, DAF and Einride announced plans to jointly develop an autonomous electric lorry for commercial use to achieve SAE Level 4 autonomy. Initial tests of the interfaces between Einride’s driving system and DAF’s electric lorry platform are scheduled to begin later in 2026.
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