RWM Expo 2024, NEC

WE’VE had a fantastic time catching up with familiar faces and seeing emerging technologies and new platforms firsthand at the RWM Expo 2024, at the NEC in Birmingham. The level of innovation on display never fails to impress.

The Expo is also a crucial opportunity for us to see our sector in context with adjacent and dependent markets, such as recycling, environment, clean energy transition and health & safety.

Walking the acreage of stands at the NEC, a few common themes were noticeable:

Circular Economy

The concept of the circular economy takes society away from the current linear attitude of ‘make-take-waste’, to one in which more of our everyday products are either recycled, repurposed or reused. Supporting this imperative has been at the heart of the Endurance mission from inception. By investing in the most efficient and cleanest vehicles, we are helping to refresh the UK’s commercial vehicle stock. And by rigorously maintaining those vehicles, we help to ensure their use value is maximised.

It’s enormously encouraging to see how the circular economy has gained traction in the sector.

Artificial Intelligence

AI is, or will very soon be, touching us all, at work and at home. We saw AI being applied innovatively across the show: to automate refuse sorting, improve near-vehicle safety or monitor air quality and other environmental factors.

EVs

There were a lot of new EV platforms on display across various weight categories. Clearly, the transition to cleaner forms of propulsion is essential as we all work towards net zero targets. However, electric dominates with very little mention or visibility of hybrid or hydrogen offerings, or solutions for ‘carbon capture at point of emission’.

Although EVs deliver torquey performance and ‘zero emissions at point of use’, infrastructure, range and depreciation remain enormous challenges to their widespread adoption.

As with domestic vehicles, a range of options is what the industry requires to cater for our varied applications and constraints. It’s an important conversation, and one we’re going to be exploring in the coming months, so remember to ‘Follow’ us on LinkedIn.

Congratulations to the organisers of RWM ROAR B2B for another great show, and to all the innovators in our sector, driving positive change towards a cleaner, circular future.