The influence of the cargo weight loaded on the vehicle and the total gross mass of the vehicle on the braking characteristics is often researched from the road safety reason. However, there is not enough knowledge about the influence of weight and load distribution on the loading area of small trucks or vans on their braking characteristics. This article presents the results of measurements of braking decelerations of the van of N1 category and the braking characteristics of a vehicle loaded with different cargo mass with different cargo locations on the loading area. The impact of the longitudinal cargo position on the loading area on the load of the individual axles and thus on the braking deceleration of the vehicle was investigated. The influence of the height of the center of gravity on the dynamic axle load during braking was also determined. Method of direct vehicle deceleration measurement was used by a decelerometer. There were calculated cargo weight and cargo position influences on the dynamic axle load during braking according to the vehicle deceleration.

Road transport is one of the most important factors for the national economy due to its universality and comprehensive possibilities of transporting people and goods. Unfortunately, from the energy point of view, it is also the most cost-intensive and has a negative influence on the natural environment. For these reasons, issues related to limiting the use of conventional fuels are very important, which results in reducing emissions from this sector, as well as reducing transport costs. This article presents currently used energy sources for propulsion of road vehicles, including fossil and alternative fuels, gaseous fuels and other energy sources such as fuel cells. The following section presents technologies that allow to recover some of the energy lost in motor vehicles and internal combustion engines used for their propulsion. The principle of operation of these solutions, their structure and their main features are presented. The last part focuses on discussing and identifying the most universal technologies for energy harvesting in vehicles and showing further directions of energy development in the automotive sector.

In Poland, the market of electric field tractors is practically non-existent. There are individual models in offers dedicated to the agriculture made by foreign producers. However, these offers are presented mainly at agricultural fairs. The article presents the research on the needs of farms for electric tractors and presents the possibilities of developing electro mobility in this sector of the economy. Questionnaire was presented, data were collected from those working in the agricultural sector. The data will be used to gauge attitudes and opinions towards alternative power systems implemented in agriculture.

Vehicle centre of gravity influences directly the breaking characteristics. It dues through the actual each axle load and the actual gross weight of the vehicle. This fact is significant by full braking maneuver. Full braking measurements with different operational vehicle conditions - cargo weight and its location on the vehicle – were done to evaluate this influence. The medium sized good vehicle (category N2) was breaking on a wet asphalt surface. The value of the braking deceleration MFDD and the braking distance was measured by vehicle decelerometer. The results compare different axle- and vehicle load and show the area for future related measurements.

The article presents methods for preliminary statistical analyses of selected maintenance parameters of vehicles in road transport companies. The methodology is illustrated by presenting the results of calculations of the intensity of maintenance and the cost of parts and repairs of cars in the...