Voltempo unveils ‘cabless, driverless’ electric truck 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