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Saving lives, saving fuel: changing the face of European lorries

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Three quarters of goods in the EU are carried by road. Whilst only 3 percent of vehicles, lorries account for 25 percent of road transport CO2 emissions in Europe. Over the past 20 years the fuel efficiency of lorries has hardly improved1 and lorries are also involved in a disproportionate number (18%) of fatal accidents. One reason for this poor track record is the very blunt, hence unsafe and unstreamlined, front end of Europe’s lorries. This situation is caused by EU law, Directive 96/53, which constrains the maximum length of cabins. The European Commission has proposed to change this law to allow slightly longer lorry cabs, so their safety and aerodynamic performance can be improved. T&E strongly supports this move. This briefing illustrates the urgent need for smarter design and the benefits of such a change.

Making weight sensors mandatory for future tachographs

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The revision of the Tachograph Regulation (Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3921/85 on recording equipment in road transport), which was launched in 2011, seeks to “improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the tachograph system” and to “update the current legislation so as to make full use of new technological opportunities”.As part of the revision process, the European Parliament agreed in its first reading to mandate weight sensors on new trucks as part of the future ‘smart’ tachograph.In this joint statement, the ETF and T&E urge EU policy makers to follow the position adopted by the European Parliament and to make weight sensors mandatory on new trucks and trailers concomitantly with the introduction of the smart tachograph in the sector.

Smarter trucks: better, not bigger

The European Commission is considering a change in the interpretation of its legislation on so-called megatrucks.  Under the new interpretation, the cross-border circulation of megatrucks, which is currently prohibited, would be allowed. This decision would have a negative impact on road safety and infrastructure and would drastically impact on the competitive position of the rail freight sector, without any benefits for the environment.

Input paper to CARS21 Working Group 1, Road Safety

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EU standards and policies play a vital role in reducing traffic accidents across Europe, but can also contribute to environmental and climate goals. This paper provides inputs to the CARS21 process, highlighting these synergies.

Smarter, Safer, Cleaner: How Small Changes to Lorry Design Can Make a Big Difference

With both safety and environmental challenges in mind, T&E commissioned an independent study from the automotive research institute FKA aimed at identifying the optimal shape and dimensions of a tractor (the part of the lorry that pulls the trailer), integrating new aerodynamic solutions and improving both active and passive s

Design of a (Lorry) Tractor for Optimised Safety and Fuel Consumption

T&E / FKA smart lorry cab design

With both safety and environmental challenges in mind, T&E commissioned an independent study from the automotive research institute FKA aimed at identifying the optimal shape and dimensions of a tractor (the part of the lorry that pulls the trailer), integrating new aerodynamic solutions and improving both active and passive safety.

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