IRU challenges transport draft report by MEP Leichtfried

On 4 November, the International Road Transport Union (IRU) has challenged the Weights and Dimensions recommendations by MEP and Rapporteur, Jörg Leichtfried, which call for restrictions to aerodynamic truck design improvements that, as proposed by the European Commission, could increase road safety through better driver visibility, while cutting fuel use and thus CO₂ emissions. The report also seeks to prevent the cross-border use of longer eco-friendly trucks able to transport a higher volume of goods using less fuel.

IRU General Delegate to the EU Michael Nielsen said: "It is surprising and deeply disappointing that the report aims to restrict the fitting of effective aerodynamic devices to the rear of trucks that would significantly cut fuel use and CO₂ emissions. It is dogmatic myopia that will prevent the greening at source of 6.5 million heavy goods vehicles in the EU, simply to avoid the possible modification of a few thousand intermodal rail wagons to be able to carry these more aerodynamic, greener trucks. It would also prevent improved efficiency through increased intermodal transport such as short sea shipping.”

The report seeks to restrict aerodynamic flap lengths on trucks to just 50cm - insufficient to achieve significant long-term environmental gains - as opposed to the European Commission's recommendation of 200cm. The restriction seeks to maintain the ability for trucks to be carried on a very limited number of rail wagons used in intermodal transport, such as 'rolling motorway' trains that currently account for a mere 0.17% of EU land transport.

In addition, the draft Leichtfried report would remove the option of neighbouring EU states to agree to use larger heavy goods vehicles for international transport. This measure, if enacted, would restrict further trials with larger, more eco-friendly trucks and limit efficiency gains in the road part of intermodal journeys, and make combined transport less attractive.

While other transport modes constantly obtain efficiency gains through talk about larger planes and vessels with the appropriate infrastructure being built to accommodate them, it should not be forgotten that road transport always takes care of the first and last sections of intermodal transports. Restricting efficiency in the road part of the transport system cannot be the right measure to take when developing a sustainable EU.

Nielsen concluded: "One particular transport mode should not be given the right to block efficiency innovations in another mode, especially when based on the inability of the rail sector to modernise and deliver the service that Europe's businesses and economy need. Innovation, not stagnation, is the answer to Europe's future.”

Read IRU Observations on the new European Commission proposal to modify Directive 96/53 on weights and dimensions of heavy duty vehicles (2013).

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