▷ Much cheaper tractors - the new era of tractors is not far away

We have already announced that the European Commission will gradually give in to pressure from hauliers and truck manufacturers and is considering allowing the use of longer trucks. 7-10% is expected. reduce fuel consumption, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the safety of vulnerable road users. Tractor manufacturers view this initiative very favorably.

According to the proposed proposal, it would be allowed to use rounded cabins and install elegant ones at the back of the trailer. These measures will significantly improve the aerodynamic properties of vehicles. The European Commission speaks of 7-10%. fuel savings with these changes.

The standards determining the specifications of heavy-duty vehicles were developed as early as 1996 (Directive 96/53/EC). They now need to be updated to take into account technological advances. Several guidelines for updating are offered.

Much cheaper tractors – the new era of tractors is not far away

The maximum mass of the complex, the mass of the cargo and the space allocated to it should not change. Basically, there will just be longer and sleeker tractors, which will allow the aerodynamics and design of semi-trailers to further ensure lower fuel consumption. A standard tractor with semi-trailer should reach 18.75 m.

This time we take a look at the most relevant news for carriers: the increase in maximum length, which will allow a significant reduction in fuel consumption. As fuel prices have continued to rise in recent years, such a gift would give carriers a sigh of relief.

What do truck manufacturers and their representatives think?

Audrius Lukošius, head of sales of new MAN tractors at UAB Adampolis, tends to make hauliers even happier and says that the indicators set by the European Commission are definitely not the limit for fuel savings: “We are pleased with this decision of the European Commission. We have supported it since its inception. In 2010 we started a study on aerodynamic tractors, which we called Concept S.” During this meeting we realized how important the aerodynamics of tractors could be if it was possible to increase the total length of the vehicle combination. If we take the Concept S model as an example, it is possible to save up to 15%. fuel.”

Laurynas Bričkus, marketing manager at Volvo Lietuva UAB, also agrees with his colleague and supports the existing idea: Volvo Trucks, which pays close attention to the economy and safety of trucks, is examining this EC proposal. The Swedish truck manufacturer has been designing safe, aerodynamic and fuel-efficient trucks for years. Volvo Trucks welcomes proposals to legalize longer vehicles that can carry more goods and use less fuel. Longer structures would allow better use of existing transport infrastructure, which would be beneficial for both carriers and the public, and would also allow for better nature conservation – for example, in some Scandinavian countries it is permitted to transport goods with 25.25m road trains.”

The European Commission expects the new vehicles to be on the roads as early as 2018-2020. Representatives of tractor manufacturers say that there is still a lot of work to be done and that the release date of the new vehicles will largely depend on the bureaucrats themselves. It will be necessary to create some working groups, make a series of decisions, present resolutions, approve them and only then will the producers be able to start working.

“The aerodynamic design of the cab will depend on several aspects that are yet to be decided. Safety will not be forgotten, so it can influence the cab design. Currently, the best results are achieved by attaching aerodynamic packages to the rear of the semi-trailer. We believe that extended vehicles, i.e. the additional flexibility given to manufacturers, will have positive results in designing the optimal cab shape.” – affirmations. L. Brickus.

A. Lukošius is also reluctant to predict when the new trucks will arrive, but is happy that the opinions of manufacturers’ experts are also taken into account when creating new rules: “Now it is difficult to answer, because everything depends on the concrete rules that will be approved by the EU expert group, which will also include 2 MAN people.” This provision already represents a big step forward from the manufacturer’s point of view.”

What? As? When?

The new rules should also reduce administrative burdens. 45-foot containers will be easier to transfer by sea, road and rail.

In June 2012, Commission Vice President S. Kallas provided guidelines on the conditions under which longer trucks could cross borders. The main point of these guidelines is that, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, the decision to use longer vehicles is taken by the Member States themselves, taking into account different local conditions. No Member State is obliged to allow the use of longer vehicles if it does not consider it appropriate.

However, the guidelines establish that Member States with a common border may allow the use of longer vehicles, which already allow such vehicles, if such vehicles are only used for transport between these two Member States and if this does not have a significant impact on international competition. This guidance is now included in the revised Directive.

For this proposal to become law and more fuel-efficient trucks to be on the roads, it needs to be approved by the European Parliament and Member States. As we already mentioned, you can expect to see the new trucks on the roads around 2018-2020.