Voltempo is developing a 15.6-metre cabless electric truck designed for autonomous freight operations, with the company targeting higher cargo volume and payload capacity than conventional electric articulated lorries. The UK company plans to complete an initial prototype by September 2027 and begin testing on a designated autonomous-vehicle route in South Wales.
Cabless Design Targets Higher Payload
Voltempo refers to the vehicle as a “Smart Trailer”. Its continuous rigid structure will measure 15.6 metres, exceeding the current UK maximum length of 12 metres for lorries with a fixed chassis.
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According to Autocar, the vehicle is being designed with five axles and a permissible gross weight of 42 tonnes.
Removing the conventional driver’s cab is intended to reduce vehicle weight while creating additional usable space. Voltempo founder Michael Boxwell said the concept is expected to provide around 15% more cargo volume than a conventional trailer and increase payload capacity by between five and seven tonnes.
Voltempo estimates the vehicle will weigh between 10 and 12 tonnes, compared with about 19 tonnes for a conventional electric articulated lorry.
Prototype Planned for 2027
Berkeley Coachworks is building the initial prototype, while the electric powertrain will be supplied by a major truck manufacturer that has not yet been identified.
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Voltempo has not disclosed the vehicle’s battery capacity, driving range or charging capability.
The prototype is scheduled to be completed by September 2027. The company plans to conduct initial testing on a route in South Wales designated for autonomous vehicles, with public-road testing potentially taking place at a later stage.
Voltempo said production could begin as early as late 2027, with initial deliveries targeted for mid-2028.
Fixed Routes Targeted for Autonomous Freight
The Smart Trailer is intended primarily for fixed logistics routes, where predictable operating conditions could support autonomous operation.
Voltempo expects the combination of electric propulsion and autonomous driving to increase freight capacity while helping address shortages of professional truck drivers.
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Initial production is planned for the UK, with manufacturing expected to expand to mainland Europe at a later stage.
Einride and DAF Also Develop Autonomous Electric Truck
Voltempo is entering a developing market for autonomous electric heavy-duty vehicles. Swedish company Einride has developed an autonomous electric truck known as the eBot, previously called the Gen 2 Rigid Large.
The dimensions and weight of the eBot have not been disclosed. Although the vehicle remains at the prototype stage, Einride has generated revenue primarily by supplying conventional electric trucks to logistics operators.
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Einride and DAF have also announced plans to jointly develop an autonomous electric truck for commercial applications targeting SAE Level 4 autonomy.
Initial testing of the interfaces between Einride’s autonomous driving system and DAF’s electric truck platform is scheduled to begin later in 2026.