Work Truck Week 2025 will once again spotlight the latest technological developments taking place in the work truck industry. Taking place March 4-7 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN, fluid power and electrification solutions will be among the many technologies of interest on display.
Work trucks are a large user of fluid power systems, particularly hydraulics, making this an important sector for those working in the hydraulics and pneumatics industry. The raising and lowering of dump beds and aerial lifts are just some of the ways hydraulics are put to use in this sector.
And like many other customer segments, electrification of work trucks is increasing which is bringing about a number of technological developments. For instance, development of ePTOs (electric power take-off) has risen in recent years to provide a means of delivering power from a truck’s battery system to the hydraulics that will still be vital to many of these vehicles.
Given the growth of electrification and other diesel alternatives in the work truck industry, the Green Truck Summit has become an important component of Work Truck Week. This 1-day conference offers a range of presentations on alternative fuel options, case studies from fleets who are employing different powertrain solutions as well as new technology developments.
Topics at the 2025 event, taking place March 4, include:
- autonomous technology,
- hydrogen applications,
- impacts of telematics,
- strategies for achieving zero-emission targets and more.
Additional highlights during Work Truck Week will include its educational program and Ride & Drive which enables attendees to test out the newest truck models.
A range of new technologies will be introduced during the event as well, some of which we are highlighting in this piece. These product introductions — along with Work Truck Week’s conference sessions and educational presentations — help to provide a look at what is occurring in the work truck industry while also demonstrating some of the broader trends taking place within the heavy vehicle space and how that translates to technological developments for the components utilized in these vehicles.
Hydraulic Technologies for Diesel- and Electric-Powered Trucks
The hydraulics sector will be well represented at Work Truck Week 2025. Hydraulic components and systems play an important role in various work truck functions, and are expected to remain a critical component even as electrification of these vehicles increases.
As is the case in the many other industries served by hydraulics, technological developments for this sector are focused on offering improved efficiency, safety and other performance improvements. Integration with electric power systems is increasing as well to meet the industry’s transition to hybrid and fully electric designs.
Dur-A-Lift, a manufacturer of truck-mounted aerial lifts, is planning to show its new hybrid aerial lift technology featuring a lithium-ion battery that can be used to provide the full pressure hydraulic operation required of the aerial lift. This type of technology demonstrates how battery and hydraulic technologies are coming together to enable quieter and more efficient operation of vehicles.
Dynaset, a developer of hydraulic generators and compressors, intends to show several new electric-powered solutions suitable for the work truck sector as well as other mobile applications including construction and agricultural machinery. The goal of these products is to offer solutions aimed at improving efficiency as well as meeting the trend toward further electrification of vehicles.
Among the products on display will be the EKR electric screw compressor for mobile pneumatic applications. It is designed to transform direct current (DC) power into compressed air which can be used for work tools and other needs. Also on show will be the EPW electric high pressure water pumps for static and mobile applications. DC and AC (alternating current) models are available and are suitable for dust suppression, pressure washing, pipe cleaning and other applications.
The Tek-Kool frame-mounted hydraulic oil cooler will be among the products showcased by Innotek — a distributor and engineered solutions provider specializing in hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical systems. Designed for trucking and agricultural applications, it is a compact oil cooler which filters and cools hydraulic oil. It eliminates the need for large hydraulic reservoirs to help reduce weight and space claim, increasingly important aspects in many mobile applications.
Some of the other companies exhibiting hydraulic and pneumatic related technologies at Work Truck Week 2025 include:
- Logan Clutch Corp. – the company will show its line of PTO clutches which enable the connecting and disconnecting of main and auxiliary pumps, drives and attachments.
- Toraco & KMS – the company plans to show its various hydraulic valve, pump and winch technologies as well as PTOs and transfer cases.
- Padoan SRL – hydraulic tanks (also referred to as reservoirs) made from steel and aluminum will be on display.
- Vanair – several power systems will be displayed including the Air N Arc 300 Hydraulic ALL-IN-ONE Power System and the company’s battery-powered reciprocating air compressor the EPEQ AIR20.
- VMAC – the company is showing its direct-transmission mounted PTO driving air compressors and multi-power systems providing hydraulic flow for various application needs.
Work Truck Electrification Continues to Grow
Several truck manufacturers will be showcasing their latest electric work truck designs, and a number of component manufacturers are planning to exhibit their technologies for use in such vehicles.
Electrification has increased greatly in the work truck space in recent years. Similar to the compact mobile machinery sector, the size of the vehicles used in this industry have helped to make it easier to implement electric powertrains because they do not require as much battery power as their larger long-haul counterparts.
Work trucks typically run shorter routes and many return to a home base at the end of the evening where it is easier to plug in to charge overnight, again helping uptake of electrification in this space. Fleets may still need to install the necessary charging infrastructure which has a cost, but there is likely to be less range anxiety because these vehicles to not have to rely as much on charging stations that may or may not be available along roadways.
Bollinger is one of the truck OEMs planning to display its newest electric vehicle, the Bollinger B4 which is an all-electric Class 4 commercial truck. The B4 can be customized to a fleet’s specific duty cycle requirements and features a dual battery pack providing 185 mi. of range.
REE Automotive will show the 2025 REE P7-C Class 5 fully electric truck featuring the company’s x-by-wire technology known as the REEcorner. The x-by-wire system combines steering, braking and driving into a single unit that can be placed at any of the four corners of a vehicle. It features a combination of mechanical, electrical and software technologies — including hydraulics for the braking — to provide enhanced performance capabilities while also offering familiarity when it comes to operating a vehicle which can help market uptake.
Battery system supplier Xantrex will display its Lithium-Ion Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery designed for use in a range of applications, including those in harsh operating environments. Per the company, the battery’s lithium-ion chemistry enables it to last up to 6,000 cycles whereas traditional lead acid batteries have a range of 400-500 cycles. Xantrex will also show its Freedom X inverter with built-in GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) to prevent electrical shocks.
Twelve out of the 20 total vehicles available to drive as part of Work Truck Week’s Ride & Drive event will be electric-powered options, demonstrating the continued growth of electric vehicles in this space and the desire to provide attendees to try them out for themselves.
Electric trucks available as part of the Ride & Drive include:
- Battle Motors fully electric City Tractor
- Blue Arc battery-powered Class 4 truck for high frequency last-mile delivery
- Blue Bird prototype electric Class 5–6 chassis for last-mile delivery
- Bollinger Motors B4 custom-configurable Class 4 chassis cab truck
- Ford Pro Ford F-150 Lightning Pro electric pickup
- International eMV Series 25,999-pound non-CDL GVWR truck
- Isuzu NRR EV Class 5 low-cab-forward battery electric truck
- Mercedes-Benz USA fully electric eSprinter full-size van
- REE Automotive REE P7-C electric Class 5 truck with certified X-by-wire design
- Rivian Commercial full-size van powered by a 320-hp battery-electric motor
- Workhorse W56 electric vehicle for last-mile delivery
- Zeus Class 5 electric chassis cab.
