Focus on | Conversions Lightening the load
James Dallas looks at some of the innovations coming to market to
L
ight commercial vehicle manufacturers frequently stress that most of the vehicles rolling off
their production lines undergo some sort of conversion before being delivered to the end user, whether this be the fitting of a tipper, dropside or box body to a 3.5t chassis platform or the installation of racking inside a compact van. Te shift towards electric vans has necessitated changes for bodybuilders – primarily with the need to use lightweight materials to offset the weight of the batteries, which would otherwise eat into payload capacity. Maxi-Low has been building specialist
lightweight low floor bodies for many years. In 2024, it developed what it claims is the UK’s first low floor electric urban delivery chassis, capable of carrying more than one tonne in payload. Maxi-Low says its ultra-lightweight vehicle is nevertheless sufficiently durable to meet the rigours of everyday operations.
Te polypropylene body is 95% recyclable and tough enough to withstand a 1.2 tonne side impact to the panels. It also features an anti-slash roof for added security in case thieves try to cut into the load area from above. Maxi-Low says the body is constructed in such a way that it can be repaired without completely replacing panels, which minimises downtime if damage does need to be made good. Features designed to make the
working environment as safe and easy to use as possible include lowered entry access and positioned access points. Te lightweight body is the first in a range of electric urban delivery models Maxi-Low will develop during 2025 as it moves towards building more than half of its bodies on electric platforms. As its name would suggest, Coolkit is in the business of supplying fridge freezer conversions. A recent innovation is the firm’s CurtAir air curtain option,
which food wholesaler and longstanding customer Total Foodservice Solutions now considers standard requirement. Te air curtain in CoolKit’s refrigerated vans offers benefits including improved access for operators due to unobstructed entry and exit, which is particularly useful during multi-drop delivery work. It saves time, reduces effort, and enhances health and safety by providing clear visibility. Additionally, the air curtain effectively maintains internal temperature, preserving perishable goods and reducing strain on the refrigeration system thus leading to lower energy consumption. It also helps maintain hygiene by keeping out dust, dirt and insects. Endorsing the product, Mark Tornton,
Total Foodservice Solutions transport and distribution manager, says: “We had always relied on PVC strip curtains as temperature control is paramount but our experience with the air curtain has been
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