New revision of weights and dimensions of trucks in the EU
The European Road Hauliers’ Union (ERU) welcomes the revision of Directive 96/53/EC on maximum weights and dimensions of trucks. These amendments would facilitate the development of European Modular Systems (EMS) in international road haulage and allow trucks of greater length and load capacity, address labor shortages in the sector and contribute to environmental sustainability by increasing efficiency through increased capacity and productivity.
UETR welcomes the proposed approach to increase the payload of such vehicles, as hybrid or zero-emission vehicle technology brings additional weight to vehicles. With this proposal, the deployment of green vehicles in the EU is facilitated. However, a realistic approach is required, ranging from robust scrappage schemes to the effective deployment of alternative fuel infrastructures, as well as widespread measures to address high energy prices.
STANDARDIZATION OF REGULATIONS
He further stresses the clarity of the rules provided and the importance of the EU allowing cross-border traffic of 44 tonne combinations through a comprehensive and uniform system over EU member states for a level playing field in the sector. This will prevent hauliers from facing different operating environments and will also encourage more investment in a more efficient way by SMEs, provided they have the certainty that the heavier and longer vehicles they purchase can perform transport activities on EU territory.
There are still challenges in road infrastructure that need to be overcome and this will require an effort by national and EU authorities, through the allocation of new, such as those coming from the Eurovignette or ETS.
Source: Logística Profesional
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