HE highway transports logistics is at the center of discussions. Europe and a new regulation becomes final. The European Commission will soon new european directive about weights and dimensions to apply 44 tons in trucks throughout Mega trucks as well as the EU. Currently, there are 13 countries in the European Union that allow 44 tons of cargo in goods transport vehicles, and 10 countries that allow 60-tonne Euromodular vehicles. But in the coming weeks, the European Commission will outline regulations to harmonize national regulations, facilitate cross-border transport and contribute to energy efficiency and the reduction of emissions required by upgrading more freight and vehicles.
employer general secretary phenadismer, John José GilHe calculates that there are currently around 270,000 heavy public transport vehicles in Spain, of which 85,000 are trucks and 115,000 are trucks. articulated vehicles (tractor head plus semi-trailer). According to him, the change in community regulations for the industry “will not require large investments for vehicle owners” because the 40 to 44 tonne transition does not require technical changes for most trucks.
in relation to mega trucks or large articulated trucks, Fenadismer calculates that the number of megatrucks and duotrailers in circulation is several hundred. Regulations being worked out by the Spanish Government reduce the requirements for allowing one of these vehicles, but in practice “they will continue to represent a very low percentage of the total transport fleet as they will not be able to navigate all Spanish roads due to their configuration, so it will not reach a thousand units in the coming years,” explains Gil.
The position of the majority carriers in Spain favors the introduction of such large 60-ton trucks, but they are more critical in the self-employed group given that they are vehicles with a much higher purchase cost. To be that big companies can afford. Each mega truck can carry a maximum load of 60 tons compared to a normal maximum of 40 tons. The savings are estimated at 20% of the CO2 released into the atmosphere compared to a standard 40 tonne trailer. But in terms of logistical costs, efficiency is also achieved by transporting more cargo in the same journey, so savings can be calculated based on distance, cargo weight, average slope of the route, etc. depends on various variables such as
Autonomous hauliers (owners of one or more trucks) fear that the boom in such massive articulated vehicles will make the industry job insecure by reducing the number of vehicles on the road and restricting truck ownership for large companies. . for its higher price.
The European Commission has confirmed that there is currently a real fragmentation of the market for the use of large and conventionally overweight vehicles, due to the mosaic of government regulations regarding maximum weights and dimensions, different requirements and existing authorization systems. He also criticizes the lack of alternative fuel or electric powered vehicles. Also the absence of more aerodynamic trucks and lower consumption. One way out of the pass is to change cross-border traffic regulations.
The European Commission considers that current European Union rules hinder the full potential of using longer combinations of standard tools (the so-called ‘European modular system’) to make the sector ‘green’. Other market areas are also affected by this fragmentation, such as intermodal transport (transportation using multiple modes of transport for the same load) and vehicle carriers (not taking into account certain characteristics), which cause efficiency losses. For many, the railroad should gain importance in this area. Transport within Europeas it is considered cheaper, ecological and safer.
automatic authorization
The European Commission considers it necessary to update existing European regulations to harmonize the current regulation, which it will include in its draft “automatic” authorization between all neighboring member states allowing the cross-border transport of heavier or longer vehicles. . , as well as harmonizing and adapting maximum weights and dimensions with the most common limits allowed. Currently permitted in 13 member states, the 44-tonne PMI will allow vehicle carriers with a loaded length of 20.75 meters, as well as European modular systems up to 25.25 meters long and 60 tons (mega trucks).
The Ministry of Transport included in the agreements signed with carrier associations in December 2021 the phasing out of the 44-tonne Spanish transport fleet, as well as simplification of the requirements for authorization and roaming. mega truck and duotrailer and height increase in some transport specialties, which continue to hold technical meetings with the associations that make up the National Road Transport Committee for approval in the coming months.