Ox in India
OX, the world’s first flat-pack truck, brings low-cost all-terrain mobility to rural communities in developing countries.
Shorter than a large SUV, the OX can carry a payload of 1,900kg (approximately twice the capacity of most current pick-ups) with a load volume of 9.0 m3 and legally seat up to 13 people.
Limited mobility in hard-to-reach communities can restrict access to basic services. The OX has the potential to broaden access to transport possibilities and help improve the quality of life in rural communities.
In 2018, Shell and Global Vehicle Trust (GVT) funded a bespoke prototype OX that was re-engineered and built by Gordon Murray Design (GMD), then flat-packed and shipped to India for an outreach programme with local communities.
This ‘OX to India’ mission is a partnership between Shell and GMD, working in close alignment with the GVT to deliver their original vision for the OX. This represents a crucial development stage of the vehicle, which was officially launched in 2016.
The OX, based on GMD’s flexible iStream® technology, will run exclusively on Shell fluids including Shell Rimula, a hard-working and high-performing diesel engine oil designed to help heavy duty and light duty engines to run efficiently in demanding conditions.
Other innovative features of the OX include:
- Lightweight, rugged and durable design to maximise payload for goods and people
- Low cost, simple maintenance through accessible components and fewer parts
- Designed for self-assembly, supplied fully assembled or flat-packed for easy shipping and local assembly
Recognising the need for sustainable, cleaner and more energy efficient transportation solutions, Shell is collaborating and co-engineering a number of projects. In 2016, Shell partnered with Gordon Murray to co-engineer the Shell Concept Car – an ultra-efficient city vehicle that, compared to a typical city car, uses 34% less primary energy over its entire lifetime. Shell is also partnering with AirFlow Truck Company to develop a new hyper-fuel mileage Class 8 truck known as the Starship. Its aerodynamic design will seek to demonstrate improvements in fuel economy for while lowering CO2 emissions.
Read the press release on OX: the inventive flat-pack truck.
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