Flexibility in Truck Dimensions Could Have Greater Impact on Fuel Efficiency: ACEA

March 19, 2014
With the Transport Committee of the European Parliament’s vote on the revised directive on truck weights and dimensions, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) has reiterated its support for having additional space for fuel-efficient innovations in trucks.

With the Transport Committee of the European Parliament’s vote on the revised directive on truck weights and dimensions, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) has reiterated its support for having additional space for fuel-efficient innovations in trucks, calling for the flexibility to use the extra space for innovations that have the greatest impact on fuel efficiency.

This does not only include aerodynamics (the best trucks on the market today would only gain a 1% fuel efficiency improvement through aerodynamic cabs) but include a number of technological innovations that require more space, such as alternative powertrains, more efficient cooling solutions, fuel tanks for alternative fuels and waste heat recovery.

“This flexible approach has far more potential to improve the fuel efficiency of the truck of the future," said ACEA Secretary General, Erik Jonnaert.

As regards safety, the industry stresses that it is not necessary to re-design the cab to have the best safety outcome.

"Safety technologies that prevent accidents happening in the first place are the way forward," Jonnaert said. “The industry is committed to continuing to build safety technologies into commercial vehicles.”