Rule change could lead to longer, heavier trucks

9th April 2014

Draft changes to the EU rules on truck design that would make it easier for drivers to see pedestrians and cyclists and improve bodywork streamlining to cut emissions have been backed by Transport Committee MEPs.

If approved – and the changes are to be put to a vote by Parliament as a whole in mid-April – they would allow truck cabins to be made longer if designed to cut emissions (eg, by improving aerodynamics) or to prevent accidents (eg, by reducing blind spots or making the cab more rounded).

Aerodynamic flaps up to 50 cm wide would be allowed at the rear of the truck to reduce drag and emissions.

To encourage the use of cleaner vehicles, trucks and buses with low-carbon alternatives could exceed the current maximum weight by up to one tonne, depending on the weight of the alternative system.

The draft rules would also allow trucks for use in combined road-rail or road-ship transport operations to be made 15 cm longer, to make it easier to load standard 45-foot containers.

“The draft rules would allow designers to put better trucks on the road that improve road safety and reduce environmental damage,” lead MEP Jörg Leichtfried said.  “On the issue of ‘megatrucks’, Parliament has always asked the European Commission for a proper impact assessment. The Commission will be asked to review the situation and report back to the Parliament and the Council by 2016.”