IFAT 2026

When discussing the major events of the road transport industry, attention often turns to the IAA Transportation exhibition in Hanover or Solutrans in Lyon. Yet there are other trade fairs where trucks play an absolutely essential role, and IFAT Munich is one of them.

Invited by Mercedes-Benz Trucks, I had the opportunity to explore the aisles of this huge exhibition dedicated to resource management, recycling, urban cleanliness and waste treatment. To put it simply, IFAT is like a Pollutec on a much larger European scale.

And one thing immediately becomes clear: behind every collection, recycling or infrastructure maintenance solution, there is a truck. So, follow me for a guided tour of this 2026 edition.

The tour naturally begins at the Mercedes-Benz Trucks stand, which is particularly impressive this year. The German manufacturer perfectly illustrates the connection between mobility and resource management. Visitors can discover vehicles dedicated to winter maintenance, waste collection and infrastructure maintenance.

The electric star of the stand is, of course, the eActros 400, presented here in a particularly versatile configuration. Equipped with a crane and accessories designed for seasonal operations, it demonstrates that a municipal vehicle no longer has to be limited to a single mission.

The same applies to the Econic, now available in a 100% electric version (eEconic). Long associated exclusively with refuse collection trucks, the vehicle is now available with hooklift systems, cranes and various specialised equipment, allowing it to perform a wide range of tasks.

The overall idea is clear: maximise the return on investment by offering vehicles capable of working all year round.

It would be impossible to talk about Mercedes without mentioning the Unimog. A true institution around the world, it remains the absolute benchmark for municipal implement carriers.

At IFAT, it is everywhere: snowploughs, mowing units, large-scale boom mowers and maintenance vehicles. Even after eight decades of service, the Unimog continues to hold a unique position in the market.

While it remains faithful to diesel power as electrification spreads across the industry, its off-road capabilities, versatility and durability continue to attract municipalities and specialised contractors alike.

As you walk through the exhibition halls, the Unimog appears on the stands of numerous bodybuilders, proving that it remains an essential platform for a wide variety of applications.

If there is one major trend to remember from IFAT 2026, it is undoubtedly the dominance of electric mobility.

At the MAN stand, the vehicles on display perfectly illustrate this direction. The manufacturer showcases its eTGS in several configurations dedicated to waste collection and municipal services. With batteries now seamlessly integrated into the chassis, these vehicles are capable of handling the vast majority of urban operations.

Even more impressive are some rigid trucks equipped simultaneously with a snowplough blade, a Palfinger crane and various seasonal attachments. It is yet another demonstration of the industry’s growing focus on versatility.

Germany appears to have reached a new milestone in adopting these technologies for public services, and everything suggests that France will gradually follow the same path.

At Volvo Trucks, electrification is no longer a vision for the future—it is already a well-established reality. The Swedish manufacturer is displaying several trucks dedicated to waste collection, including its well-known Low Entry cab, specifically designed for urban applications. However, the real innovation lies elsewhere.

For the first time, Volvo is presenting its new electric driveline, combining the electric motor and gearbox into a single integrated unit. This represents a major evolution compared with previous generations based on the I-Shift architecture.

The new technology promises improved energy efficiency and greater driving range. Future urban vehicles will therefore benefit from a solution even better suited to the demands of waste collection and municipal services.

Just a few metres away, construction equipment is also joining the decarbonisation movement. The Volvo L90 Electric wheel loader demonstrates the manufacturer’s ambition to electrify the entire waste management chain.

Despite this wave of electrification, diesel remains very much present.

The Scania and Volvo sweepers displayed throughout the exhibition are proof of this. Certain applications still require maximum range, extended operating times and technical capabilities that today’s electric technology cannot always provide.

IFAT therefore presents a much more balanced reality than some political narratives suggest: the transition is underway, but it will not rely on a single solution.

At Scania, the message is particularly clear.

Alongside its electric models, the Swedish manufacturer is also displaying several vehicles powered by natural gas. Its well-known Low Entry truck is available in a CNG version, offering municipalities a solution to reduce their carbon footprint without immediately switching to fully electric vehicles. It is a pragmatic approach that reflects the reality on the ground, particularly given the current lack of charging infrastructure.

One of the greatest pleasures of visiting a trade fair like IFAT is discovering vehicles and equipment that are rarely, if ever, seen on French roads. One of the highlights is an impressive Volvo FH16 780 hp in a 10x4 configuration. With its five axles and massive specialist bodywork, it immediately attracts attention.

The same goes for several Italian industrial vacuum trucks capable of rotating their suction arms in every direction, or the huge 8x2 refuse collection vehicles equipped with loader cranes—vehicles that are common in some European countries but still relatively rare in France. Every aisle offers new discoveries and serves as a reminder of just how different working practices can be from one country to another.

While truck manufacturers are present in large numbers, the true stars of IFAT are undoubtedly the bodybuilders. Waste collection, street sweeping, industrial vacuuming, cleaning, sewer maintenance and material processing—every profession is represented by highly specialised equipment. The diversity on display is genuinely impressive.

Above all, IFAT highlights the fact that the truck is often nothing more than a rolling platform designed to carry extremely sophisticated equipment. This is particularly evident in the live demonstration areas, where manufacturers showcase their equipment under real operating conditions in front of an audience of industry professionals.

Among the most interesting innovations presented at the show, one product particularly caught my attention: a new trailer developed by Meiller.

Its concept is simple but remarkably effective. The trailer can accommodate both hooklift containers and roll-off (polyben) containers. In just a few dozen seconds, the operator can adapt the trailer to suit the task at hand.

For companies specialising in waste management, this level of modularity represents a significant gain in flexibility.

If there is one vehicle that truly stands out at IFAT 2026, it is undoubtedly the Mercedes reEconic. A contraction of “Recycled” and “Econic,” this concept is based on a simple idea: building a truck using 80% recycled materials.

The result is impossible to ignore. The cab notably incorporates genuine wooden elements, and contrary to what one might expect, these are far more than simple decorative features.

Wherever it goes, the vehicle attracts cameras and visitors alike. It is still too early to say whether this concept genuinely represents the trucks of tomorrow, but one thing is certain: it is one of the major attractions of IFAT 2026.

Another highlight of the exhibition was the historic parade organised by Mercedes-Benz.

To celebrate the brand’s 130th anniversary, several iconic vehicles paraded in front of visitors. Among them were a beautifully restored 1950s Faun refuse collection truck and a historic Unimog snowplough. It was a particularly moving moment, reminding visitors just how far commercial vehicles have evolved over more than a century.

The contrast between these mechanical pioneers and the new electric eActros and eEconic perfectly illustrates the transformation of the industry.

Another major trend spotted in Munich is automation. Among the most spectacular demonstrations was an autonomous street sweeper capable of operating without a driver. Although the technology is still in its early stages, it provides a glimpse into the future of urban services.

Smart waste collection, automation of repetitive tasks and advanced driver assistance are no longer concepts for tomorrow—they are already taking shape in the exhibition halls.

Beyond the trucks themselves, IFAT impresses through the sheer diversity of its exhibits. Giant shredders, industrial chippers, automated sorting machines, wheel loaders, backhoe loaders and recycling equipment: the entire waste management ecosystem is represented.

Germany has long been regarded as a pioneer in recycling, and the 2026 edition once again confirms its leading position in this field.

IFAT will probably never attract the same audiences as the major general road transport exhibitions. Yet it occupies an essential place in the industry. Because it shines a spotlight on professions that are often overlooked. Because it showcases innovative technologies.

And above all, because it reminds us that behind every waste container collected, every street cleaned and every piece of recycled material, there is a complex logistics chain in which the truck plays a central role.

Before leaving Munich and this outstanding exhibition, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to climb into the cab of the latest-generation Unimog. Equipped with a fully digital dashboard, it perfectly illustrates how these vehicles continue to evolve without ever losing their DNA.

As a genuine Unimog enthusiast, I have to admit that this latest version impressed me tremendously. This is exactly why TruckStop travels across Europe—to discover these highly specialised sectors and share them with our audience. And this is only the beginning.

Judging by everything IFAT 2026 had to offer, the trip was more than worthwhile. We’ll be back very soon with coverage from many more trade fairs, each with its own unique character.

Until then, drive safely, and don’t forget to download the TruckStop app. It’s completely free and gives you access to all our content: articles, videos and now podcasts all with the TruckStop touch!

Text and photos: Fabien Calvet