MADRID, 16 June 2022 - Allison Transmission was present at the 21st edition of TECMA, the International Urban Planning and Environment Fair, held from June 14 to 16 at the IFEMA exhibition center (Madrid), where the company showcased innovations in the field of electrification. Together with two major players in the sector, Geesinknorba and UROVESA, Allison held a press event for the unveiling of a number of new vehicles, all Allison fitted. These vehicles meet the current needs of cities, whilst setting trends in the use of alternative energy.

Allison Transmission is a benchmark in the Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) sector and collaborates with manufacturers such as URO Vehículos Especiales (UROVESA) and Geesinknorba to improve the working conditions and vehicle control for drivers. The three companies utilized TECMA 2022 as a platform to make a joint presentation to the press, who visited the three stands to learn about the innovations on display.

Allison highlighted the current trend of manufacturers using conventional transmissions in conjunction with electric engines. The company also presented and showcased the benefits of its new eGen Power® electric axles and for their conventional fully automatic transmissions explained the reliability, durability, drivability and the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) measurement methods. TCO is now a key concept in municipal services.

The Geesinknorba stand featured the Hyzon HyMax-160 fuel cell truck with DAF chassis and Geesinknorba bodywork. The vehicle, equipped with an Allison 3200 SeriesTM fully automatic transmission with Power-Take-Off (PTO), was unveiled for the first time in Spain.

Finally, UROVESA premiered the new URO Urbatek range for the entire European market. This range consists of three specific truck chassis specially designed for MSW collection, with low, easy-access cabs and three powertrain options: electric traction, CNG and Euro 6E diesel. An Allison 3000 SeriesTM automatic transmission with retarder was chosen for the thermal engines.

Allison provides reliability for MSW collection services
The presentation began at the Allison stand, where Trond Johansen, European Key Fleets and Market Development Manager at Allison Transmission, spoke of the company’s latest innovations. He highlighted the TCO benefits of Allison's fully automatic transmissions in terms of reliability and durability, which are critical in municipal services.

"Our presence at TECMA confirms that manufacturers, in response to market demands, value the benefits of the Continuous Power Technology TM of Allison fully automatic transmissions. TCO is a way of measuring performance by analyzing variables such as productivity (how much additional work can be done) and fuel efficiency during the life cycle of a vehicle," said Johansen.

Also highlighted were the benefits of xFE technology for automatic transmissions, which enable more efficient energy use and enhance vehicle productivity by allowing heavier loads to be carried with lower fuel consumption. The 3000 xFE™ and 3200 xFE™ models are ideal for medium-duty trucks with engines producing up to 370 hp and 1695 Nm and a gross vehicle weight up to 28.5 tons. Equipped with xFE these transmissions reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Johansen also emphasized the advantages of FuelSense® technology, which reduces fuel consumption in the most demanding duty-cycles and provides savings in both fuel and maintenance costs. He also spoke of Allison's eGen Power® series, fully integrated electric axles with up to 454 kW continuous power and 652 kW peak power, designed to be mounted between the wheels of medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses, replacing conventional powertrains.

New Geesinknorba refuse collection truck mounted on the Hyzon HyMax-160 with DAF chassis and refuse collection bodywork mounted on a Renault D WIDE 320 CNG
After the Allison presentation, the press visited Geesinknorba's stand, where the company's latest product was unveiled: a rear-loading GPM IV refuse collector on the new Hyzon HyMax-160 with DAF chassis. Also on display was the AMS CL1-26N side loader on a Renault D WIDE 320 CNG chassis. This truck is equipped with an optimized engine, Fuel Eco+ pack and an Allison 3200 Series™ automatic transmission with PTO that provide reduced CO2 emissions.

"We are very proud to showcase our most innovative new launches at TECMA 2022. The Hyzon HyMax-160 marks a new era in the field of mobility: hydrogen is unquestionably one of the most attractive alternative energies for the sector. In terms of both sustainability and performance, it offers unbeatable benefits for working in cities. Nonetheless, the demand for more traditional vehicles, such as the Renault D WIDE 320 CNG, has not been affected, as they also play a key role in certain applications," said José Antonio González, CEO at Geesinknorba for Spain and Portugal.

The Hyzon HyMax-160 is designed for customers seeking zero emissions. Advantages include: the chassis weight, which is almost the same as that of a conventional diesel vehicle; a design that enables it to work in the same way as a diesel vehicle, but silently and with zero emissions; and a refill speed of just 8 minutes, which is possible at all hydrogen stations at a pressure of 350 bar.

“At Hyzon we work to accelerate the energy transition. We eliminate carbon emissions, so harmful to our environment, benefiting both cities and drivers. We offer a wide range of Hyzon FCEV products, ensuring the same power, payload and refill time as any diesel vehicle. Of course, with a fundamental advantage: our Hyzon FCEV only emit water vapor,” said Joost van de Laar, Hyzon European Sales Director, during the presentation.

UROVESA launches the new URO Urbatek range with Allison fully automatic transmissions
The press event concluded at the UROVESA stand, where Manuel Lage, UROVESA's Business Development Consultant, unveiled the new URO Urbatek range, a European first, designed from the ground up to provide optimum performance in urban MSW services.

The URO Urbatek is a unique truck in the European market, with the smallest possible dimensions of 2.0 m wide and 5.75 m long on a chassis with an 18 metric-ton MPW. The Urbatek features excellent weight distribution on both axles and a new low, cab forward design with single side step to greatly facilitate access and help prevent accidents. As is typical for URO special-purpose vehicles, these new chassis also feature the added benefits of Allison. The Urbatek is equipped with the Allison 3000 Series transmission with retarder. The URO Urbatek is the first truck designed specifically for MSW collection in historic town centers and narrow streets in general.

Urban service companies need special vehicles capable of meeting municipal efficiency and environmental impact requirements. It is, therefore, vital from the outset for the chassis and cabs of these vehicles to be designed for the coupling and mounting of specific types of bodywork.

"Our extensive experience with high-tech defense vehicles allows us to tailor our chassis in accordance with the application, without the need for subsequent modification. MSW collection is a demanding task made much easier with Allison fully automatic transmissions, which facilitate smooth driving and eliminate errors during gear shifts. Drivers have both hands on the wheel and can focus fully on the road and vehicle movement. The reliability of automatic transmissions also means lower maintenance costs and consequently higher productivity throughout the vehicle lifecycle. Moreover, engines run at the minimum RPM at all times, thereby significantly reducing noise emissions," said Lage.

The collaboration between Allison and UROVESA is longstanding. In 1989, UROVESA became the first company in Spain to incorporate Allison for both civilian and military off-road applications. Since then, the company has manufactured over 7,000 vehicles with Allison automatic transmissions. "UROVESA is one of Allison's largest customers in Spain, with a long history of technical cooperation and excellent relations. UROVESA sees Allison as a preferred partner in all the new projects we develop," said Lage.

"These vehicles operate with very demanding duty-cycles, with continuous stops and starts and heavy loads. The same truck is used for several consecutive shifts and the powertrain is subjected to continuous strain. The Allison transmission with torque converter protects the driveline, reducing component shock and resulting in fewer failures and greater reliability. Because parts have a longer service life, TCO is lower. As a result, companies and fleets providing this type of service in Spain are looking for automatic transmissions with torque converter and the option of an integral hydraulic retarder," said Johansen.

The new URO Urbatek range offers customers three powertrain options on demand: 100% electric traction motor with lithium-ion batteries, which guarantees operation over a full working day without the need to recharge; an eco-friendly compressed natural gas engine; and the Euro 6E diesel engine. The integral self-leveling air suspension system maintains constant ground clearance. Moreover, the driver can adjust the height of the vehicle on the move, to avoid obstacles on the ground or overhead.

URO Urbateks offer three PTO mounting options: directly connected to the engine from the crankshaft, directly connected to the rear of the engine (REPTO) and connected to the automatic transmission.

"Our great added value is that we provide a solution with the same efficiency and performance of larger trucks used on wide roads. We feel sure that our presence at TECMA will enable users of this class of vehicle to see the new URO Urbatek range as the optimal and most cost-effective solution for doing their work in the most ecological, efficient and operator-friendly way. Moreover, these vehicles are fitted with Allison automatic transmissions, which protects the engine and the mechanical parts," said Lage.