Elmia Lastbil establishes itself as the Nordic region's leading forum for the transport industry.

Elmia Lastbil 2024 has established itself as the most important meeting place for the transport and haulage industry in Sweden and the Nordic region. During four intense days, the industry discussed key issues such as the green transition, sustainability, and the industry’s need for skills.

The fact that sustainability is at the top of the agenda for the Nordic transport and haulage industry was clearly emphasized by truck manufacturers Volvo Trucks Sweden, Scania Sweden, and Mercedes-Benz Trucks Sweden, who also served as reference companies for the exhibition, together with Lastfordonsgruppen (LFG).

– Our sustainability journey is the most important of all. We are working to achieve Vision Zero and will be 100 percent fossil-free by 2040 to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, says Stefan Strand, Managing Director of Volvo Trucks Sweden.

Strong consensus on sustainability issues

Industry representatives, politicians, and leading truck manufacturers gathered for a special discussion on the first day of the exhibition.

– The positive thing is that we have a common vision – and that we are actually meeting here at the exhibition. This is incredibly important. The sustainability journey is something we must undertake together, says Stefan Strand.

Philip Flygare, Sales and Marketing Manager at Mercedes-Benz Trucks Sweden, agrees:

– It may seem repetitive to keep talking about the transition, but we see increasing demands from our customers and their customers – demands that grow every day. That's why we must continue to discuss the possibilities for fossil-free transport.

Johan Uhlin, Managing Director of Scania Sweden, also emphasizes the importance of sustainability in the transport and haulage industry.

– Sustainability is not something we work on half-heartedly. It's about low fuel consumption and, therefore, lower carbon emissions, renewable fuels like biogas and biodiesel – and, not least, electrification. It’s crucial that we all come together and set the agenda for the future.

Elmia Lastbil – a key knowledge platform for the green transition

The green transition was a central theme at Elmia Lastbil, from opening speech by Andreas Carlson (Christian Democrats), the Minister of Infrastructure at the inauguration, to the stage and seminar programs, which focused on themes like electrification and alternative fuels for a fossil-free road transport sector.

–Elmia Lastbil offers a broad range of stage presentations, where we collaborated with three of our reference companies on the program for the first time. We see this as very positive, and both seminars and stage programs attracted a large audience, says Björn Swenning, Business Manager for Elmia Lastbil.

Increasing industry appeal amongst youth

To meet the need for skilled labour and boost the industry’s appeal, Elmia Lastbil, as in previous years, invited the workforce of the future. About 3,000 students from high schools and adult education programmes visited the exhibition on Thursday, where they met with truck driver and Swedish Truckers personality Emina Nilsson and truck mechanic Emil Didriksson from the National Skills Team. The school day was organized in collaboration with Lastfordonsgruppen, Mercedes-Benz Trucks Sweden, Scania Sweden, and Volvo Trucks Sweden.

– Our main focus at Elmia Lastbil was finding ways to ensure a sustainable supply of skills in the industry. It’s important for us to create an understanding of how many are needed to create an effective transport solution, says Carina Jakobsson, Chairperson of Lastfordonsgruppen.

Elmia Lastbil – an arena for world premieres

Swedish and world premieres took place in several of the exhibitors' booths. The unveiling of the all-electric Volvo FM Low Entry with sliding door, as well as the Mercedes-Benz eActros 600, drew large crowds. At Scania Sweden, the world premiere of the first fully electric timber truck with a crane, built to handle forest transports of 72 tons, garnered the most attention.

Elmia Lastbil, held since 1983, is a joint event between Elmia AB and Trailer Magazine. Trailer Magazine also organises the popular competition Nordic Trophy, which once again featured the finest trucks in the Nordic region, with 120 competitors. Rutger Andersson, Senior Editor of Trailer Magazine, is very pleased with the 21st edition of the exhibition:

– This year’s Elmia Lastbil provided a great picture of the technological shift that is currently taking place. For the country’s haulers and drivers, the exhibition is an excellent opportunity to see the best that the industry has to offer right now. I’m especially pleased with the continued high interest in Nordic Trophy and the increase in visitor numbers compared to 2022.

With 371 exhibitors and 31,450 visitors, Elmia Lastbil continues to be the most important arena for presenting innovations, making deals, and discussing the future and challenges of the industry.

– This year’s Elmia Lastbil showed that the exhibition continues to be the central meeting point for the entire transport and haulage industry in the Nordic region. Critical industry issues like the green transition and the industry’s need for skills were discussed both on the exhibition floor and in the stage program. The four days of the exhibition demonstrated a shared ambition from all actors to meet these challenges and strengthen the industry for the future. Elmia Lastbil continues to create opportunities for everyone in the transport and haulage industry to meet, build relationships, and discuss the future, says Björn Swenning, Business Manager for Elmia Lastbil.

About Elmia Lastbil, 21-24 August 2024

• Visitors: 31 450
• Exhibitors: 371
• Countries represented: 15
• Total area: 75,000 sq.m.
• Visitors from transport schools: 3 453