Road vehicles: maximum weights and dimensions

On behalf of CLEPA members, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, we hereby submit our feedback to the consultation regarding the review of the weights & dimensions regulation. We wish to highlight the importance of providing further weight allowances to vehicle combinations that possess zero-emission technologies, either on the truck or trailer side of the combination.

As an operator of one of the largest fleets of electric trucks in the EU, Einride has extensive experience in identifying the factors that drive the shift to electric vehicles. An updated WD directive could play a crucial role in this transition and it is, hence, instrumental to move forward the revision.

In the EU, 3,310 people lost their lives in road collisions involving a truck of 3.5t or above in 2018 alone, representing 14% of all road deaths. The relatively large mass of a truck translates into a higher severity of injury for other road users involved in a collision.

Opinion of the UECC on the amendment of Directive 96/53/EC laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within the EU the maximum authorised dimensions in national and international traffic and the maximum authorised weights in international traffic.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

CONFEBUS took note of the opening of the deadline for the European Commission to submit comments on the proposal for a Directive amending Council Directive 96/53/EC of 25 July 1996 laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within the Community the maximum authorised dimensions in national and international traffic and the maximum authorised weights in international traffic.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

Background 1. Refrigerated transport is a fundamental part of the cold chain sector. It is of the utmost importance as it ensures the safe delivery of temperature-controlled products, namely fresh and frozen food, pharma products and vaccines. 2.

As a French region at the heart of Europe, the Grand Est region is crossed by several major European international freight corridors. For this reason, the region is particularly concerned by the potential effects of this revision, which is likely to generate a significant increase in 44-tonne truck and mega-truck traffic on its territory.

Kinnarps welcome that the directive EC/96/53 is open for revision and thank you for the opportunity to reply. We hope that you prepare the directive wisely for many years to come. With our unique perspective and mind set we like to share out thoughts for the future striving to increase sustainable transports solutions throughout Europe. We operate in many member states and have large expertise in vehicle design.

Eurogas welcomes the Commissions proposal to review the Weights and Dimensions Directive (WDD), which sets out the maximum weights and dimensions for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) to circulate on EU roads. This Directive aims at improving the environmental performance of such vehicles while ensuring fair competition among road transport operators.

The International Transport and Logistics Alliance (TALA) attaches its position on the European Commission’s proposal for a revision of Directive 96/53/EC. Key TTLA proposals include: —To set a maximum weight of 44 tonnes for intermodal transport operations for heavy goods vehicles, as well as international transport operations in the EU using the TEN-T road infrastructure.

Filed in Lithuanian · English published by the European Commission

The Finnish Forest Industries Federation thanks for the opportunity to comment on the legislative proposal of the Weights and Dimensions Directive. Based on over 30 years of experience, we see higher weights and dimensions as the solution for more freight to be moved with less emissions in Europe.

UECC Opinion on the Proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 96/53/EC laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within the Community the maximum authorised dimensions in national and international traffic and the maximum authorised weights in international traffic.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

ACEA, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, strongly welcomes the Review of the Weights & Dimensions Directive published on 11 July 2023 as part of the Greening Freight Package. The Review of the Directive is one important element of the regulatory framework to facilitate the market uptake of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), namely battery-electric and hydrogen-powered trucks and buses.

Transport companies (TF) consider the Commission’s proposal for a revised directive on weights and measures to a large extent to be good and consider that amending the Directive could lead to increased competitiveness, road safety and improved climate.

Filed in Swedish · English published by the European Commission

OG Clean Fuels supports the Commissions initiative to revise Directive 96/53/EC. Hence, newly introduced flexibilities should not be limited to zero-emission vehicles only. A technology-neutral approach is needed, which should be inclusive of Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) trucks fuelled by hydrogen and advanced biofuels.

UNIFE is the Association of the European Rail Supply Industry a strategic industry accounting for more than 400.000 jobs across Europe, from industrial champions (Alstom, Siemens, CAF) to small and medium-sized enterprises involved in the design, manufacture, maintenance and refurbishment of rail transport systems, subsystems and related equipment.

Cefic welcomes the Commission's proposal objectives to reduce administrative burdens and potential delays for operators, to harmonize the single market and especially foster the transition for the decarbonization of transports.

ASECAP European Association of toll motorways, tunnels and bridges operators considering that the policymakers, must first consider the following infrastructure aspects as key elements/inputs for their analyses. Ways built in Europe are designed to meet the existing standards of weights and dimensions for a long-term perspective going beyond 45 years and even more.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

The European Transport Board (ETB) welcomes the European Commission's proposal to amend the Weights and Dimensions Directive (Council Directive 96/53/EC). We are pleased to see momentum building behind aligning regulations with the future sustainability needs of the European road freight transport industry.

The European Clean Trucking Alliance (ECTA) welcomes the Commissions proposal to review the Weights and Dimensions (W&D) Directive, which aims to promote the uptake of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles. Additional weight limits for zero-emission trucks will ensure all long-haul routes can be served by zero-emission trucks without ever losing payload to their equivalent fossil-fuelled trucks.

The ITD is pleased that the Commission sees European Modular Systems (EMS) as an effective way to reduce both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions from trucks, and that it is essential for free movement and the green transition that they can move freely across European borders.

Filed in Danish · English published by the European Commission

From SEOPAN. the Spanish association of infrastruicture contractors and concessionaires we would like to underline two basic questions related to this initiatives. Both are developed in the attached document but they can be sum up as follows: Before the adoption of the revision of the Directive, a deep study of its impact on traffic flows should be performed at national level.

MAXIMUM PERMITTED HEIGHT. Petition FOR APPLIATION TO 4.5 m IN THE TRANSPORT OF VIVES ANIMALS The reasons why we request that consideration be given to extending the maximum permitted height to 4.5 m in the transport of live animals, thus bringing it into line with other transports already covered by this extension, such as the transport of vehicle carriers or containers approved for combined transport, are directly…

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

The Bavarian State Ministry for Housing, Building and Transport is critical of the planned revision of Directive 96/53/EC on the following points: (a) setting the maximum authorised weights and dimensions for heavy-duty vehicles (amendments to Article 10b and amendments to Annex 1) In setting the maximum permissible weights and axle loads, the load capacity of roads and bridges is of key importance.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Glass for Europe welcomes the European Commissions (EC) proposal for a revision of Directive 96/53/EC (COM(2023) 445/2) but considers that additional improvements are needed to increase logistic efficiency and reduce transports CO2 emissions in the EU. European flat glass manufacturers organize thousands of transports every year to deliver products to their customers.

CLECAT, the European Association for Forwarding, Transport, Logistics and Customs Services, welcomes the Commission proposal to revise the Directive 96/53/EC, setting standards for the maximum authorised weights and dimensions of heavy-duty vehicles used in national and international transport.

With currently more than 21 million members, ADAC e.V. is the largest automobile club in Europe and the second largest in the world. The four letters in its name stand for an association which offers its members assistance, protection and advice around the clock and is a powerful stakeholder on all mobility issues.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Trailer Dynamics GmbH explicitly welcomes the EU initiative to increase the total weight of ZEV vehicles to 44 tonnes across Europe. The electrification of the respective vehicles (tracetor or trailer) is associated with an inevitable extra weight due to the e-components, in particular of the battery.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Ladies and gentlemen, we consider this proposal to be very useful. The solutions proposed would significantly facilitate the use of longer and heavier vehicles in international traffic, in particular within the ESM system.

Filed in Polish · English published by the European Commission

SMEunited welcomes the planned increase in the maximum permissible weights and dimensions. The increase of the maximum permissible gross weights of HGVs with heavy superstructures (crane, grab, tipper) should be made possible.

Rail transport is up to six times more energy-efficient than road. Competition between modes should not be an option. Instead, cooperation, coordination and solidarity between modes need to be the way forward if we want to be able to transport increasing amounts of goods and at the same time using less energy.

The Road Safety Authority welcomes the opportunity to provide feedback and be involved in the process of updating Directive 96/53/EC. In advance of any increases to the current permitted vehicle weights and dimensions as set out in Directive 96/53/EC, consideration must be given to the road safety impacts and the existing road infrastructure.

RAI Vereniging responds on behalf of Dutch importers of heavy goods vehicles and manufacturers of bodies and trailers to the internet consultation on Business vehicles — weights and dimensions (evaluation). The direction proposed by the European Commission is in line with Members’ wishes, but there is room for improvement of the Directive 96/53/EC. The attached position paper provides a number of suggestions.

Filed in Dutch · English published by the European Commission

Making transport more sustainable by reducing the number of journeys by: — increase the maximum tonnage in cross-border transport to 44 tonnes within the EU or at least allow Member States to conclude bilateral agreements with neighbouring countries on this matter.

Filed in Dutch · English published by the European Commission

The International Rail Freight Business Association (IBS) e.V. supports the overall objectives pursued by the European Commission in its Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy: (1) to make all transport modes more sustainable and (2) to make current sustainable alternatives such as railway widely available in intermodal end-to-end logistic supply chains with the aim to shorten the road operations as much as…

Every year in Europe more than 270 000 semi-trailers have been transferred from road to rail thanks to the MODALOHR system. This corresponds to a saving of more than 245 million kilometres of road journeys. The European Commission is planning to amend the Weights and Dimensions Directives, and in particular to increase the authorised length of semi-trailers from 13.6m to 14.92m or even 15.25m.

Good day We request that the Court: — unification and simplification of procedures for crossing permits — create a separate category of applications and regulations for the transport of heavy goods vehicles as a category slightly but inevitably exceeding the normative values.

Filed in Polish · English published by the European Commission

As environmental NGOs focusing on a sustainable transport system, we are clearly opposed to this change. In our view, the above-mentioned measures — extending the maximum permissible weight to 44 tonnes and 60 tonnes respectively and to 25.25 m in length — would run counter to the objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from heavy goods vehicles and improving road safety.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

As the German Farmers’ Association, we recommend raising the maximum authorised weights for vehicles and vehicle combinations to 46 tonnes, for reasons of efficiency, but also for reasons of climate protection. In the agricultural sector, the transport of sugar beet, but also of other agricultural products, is particularly important.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Thousands of people are still dying in collisions involving goods vehicles in the EU every year: many goods vehicle drivers, but even more car occupants and vulnerable road users. European Commission (2022), Road traffic fatalities in the EU in 2019 by road user and (other) ‘main vehicle’ involved in the crash, https://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/document/download/82bfd7e1-b193-4eb3-ad8a-25d474924941_en ETSC…

The Danish Road Directorate: Analysis of testing scheme for double trailers (December 2021): Link - https://www.trm.dk/media/zeqbjmqz/rapport-analyse-af-en-mulig-forsoegsordning-med-dobbelttrailere_final-a.pdf Danish Road Traffic Authority: COWI analysis: Analysis OF OPTION AND TILPASNING OF NATIONAL wall AND DIMENSIONSREGULATION (December 2021): link -…

Filed in Danish · English published by the European Commission

1) ECF would have concerns with road safety if larger Vehicles were allowed generally to cross border. Around 20% of cycling fatalities come about in crash with a large vehicle on European roads https://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/document/download/82bfd7e1-b193-4eb3-ad8a-25d474924941_en Research has shown that there would be an increase in blind spots; a decrease in the manoeuvrability and handling both in…

As the largest provider of combined road-rail transport in the EU, Kombiverkehr GmbH & Co. KG welcomes all the efforts of the European Commission to make all modes of transport more efficient and climate-friendly. By shifting more than 940,000 lorry equivalents to rail, the services of Kombiverkehr are already helping to achieve the climate objectives by saving more than 1.1 million tonnes of CO2.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The initiative to reduce the impact of road transport on the climate at first sight is certainly desirable. On closer inspection, however, it should be borne in mind that authorising the circulation of longer semi-trailers (length > 15 m) would unfortunately create the opposite effect. Indeed, the current size of semi-trailers allows them to be transported by rail in intermodal transport.

Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission

Opinion Enterprise Logistics Sp. z o.o. S.K.A. We support the revision of Council Directive 96/53/EC both in the context of increasing the dimensions and gross weight of vehicles and in order to remove administrative barriers related to the issuing of non-normative vehicle authorisations.

Filed in Polish · English published by the European Commission

The Association of Public Enterprises and Public Sectors (VÖWG) is grateful for the possibility of an initial assessment by the European Commission of the planned revision of Directive 96/53/EC on weights and dimensions. In principle, an increase in the dimensions of road vehicles and an increase in the maximum permissible weight is critical. Please find further details in the annex.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The Swedish Forest Industries Federation (Skogsindustrierna), thanks for the opportunity to participate in this call for evidence. We look forward to the Commission's public consultation on the coming revision on European Directive 96/53/EC later this year. The Swedish Forest Industries Federation is one of the largest industry branches in Sweden.

The Stockholm Region, which is the traffic manager responsible for public transport in Stockholm County, would like to take this opportunity to comment on the metres limit to 18,75 metres in length for single-powered buses currently regulated by EU directives. The Stockholm Region proposes to increase the maximum authorised length of a single-line bus from 18.75 m to 21 m, provided that the bus has four axles.

Filed in Swedish · English published by the European Commission

We support a revision of the provision limiting cross-border transport to 40 tonnes in order to increase it to 44 tonnes throughout the European Union or, at least, between two Member States which authorise it on their own national territory. At the same time, we call for harmonisation of the rules on the distribution of axle weight in order to avoid unfair competition between Member States.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

Skogforsk welcomes the initiative to revise the Directive 96/53/EC on maximum permissible weights and dimensions for heavy-duty vehicles. The reason is that Skogforsk for a long time have done research and development in the direction of High Capacity Transport (HCT) with the aim of reducing the environmental footprint that forestry transport provides.

Sustainability is a crucial topic globally and as a consequence also in the EU. In the fit-for-55 program the Commission has put together all measures to be taken to reach the goals for 2030. The goals are ambitious and it is important for all of us to keep the global warming within the famous lines of 1,5 degree warming.

CLECAT, the European association of freight forwarders, logistics services providers and customs agents, welcomes the initiative to revise Directive 96/53/EC, setting standards for the maximum authorised weights and dimensions of heavy-duty vehicles used in national and international transport.

The Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahl welcomes the fact that the European Commission checks the weights and dimensions of heavy-duty vehicles. From the perspective of WV Stahl, harmonisation of the maximum permissible weight to 44 tonnes in the EU could lead to clear benefits for climate protection, transport policy and free movement of goods.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Scania comments on the call for evidence on the Weights and Dimensions Directive Scania welcomes the evaluation and impact assessment of Directive 95/53/EC (“W&D Directive”), which may account for the significant technological progress since the last revision.

Opinion of the Polish Chamber of Specialisations and Logistics On the revision of Council Directive 96/53/EC in the context of increasing the dimensions and gross weight of vehicles and introducing amendments to remove administrative barriers related to the authorisation of a non-normative vehicle. The Polish International Freight Forwarders Association (PIFFA) is an organisation of economic self-government.

Filed in Polish · English published by the European Commission

A review of the Weights and Dimensions Directive risks affecting the competitiveness between different modes of transport, especially in freight transport. The revision must not lead to more road freight transport, but instead be mindful of the competitiveness of rail freight transport, which is already largely electric and low in emissions.

In order to account for the ramp up phase of zero emission new technologies, a larger allowance for weight and length is welcomed. This includes additional space for hydrogen storage or batteries, as well as the associated extra-weight.

We fully support the overall objectives pursued by the European Commission in its Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy (1) to make all transport modes more sustainable and (2) to make current sustainable alternatives such as railway widely available in intermodal end-to-end logistic supply chains with the aim to shorten the road operations as much as possible.

The BGL welcomes the consultation and discussions on future provisions on weights and dimensions of road goods vehicles. This aspect must not be overlooked, especially in view of the increasing requirements for CO2 reduction with the environmental objective of achieving climate neutrality by 2050.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

As a railway undertaking, Safety4you Baunlogistik GmbH is directly affected by such rules and therefore supports all efforts that are appropriate to prevent a deterioration of the competitive position for rail freight transport. The increase in weight up to 60 tonnes has a clear impact on rail freight transport in Europe.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Northern Karelia is the second most forested province in Finland. 84 % of the land area is forested. The forestry sector has a turnover of EUR 2 MRD and employs 6600 people in 500 companies. The plans for 2023 aim to: EUR 350 million in investment, EUR 2.5 million in turnover and 400-800 new jobs. HCT trucks are a prerequisite for a profitable forest biobusiness.

Filed in Finnish · English published by the European Commission

While we generally appreciate the Commission's efforts to facilitate intermodal transport, UIP - the International Union of Wagon Keepers urges the European Commission to take the arguments against the introduction of heavier, longer trucks, summarised in our position enclosed, into consideration in order to avoid creating unfair market advantages for road transport to the detriment of the greenest mode of…

Starch Europe, The European Starch Industry Association, would like to take the opportunity of this call for evidence to comment on Directive 96/53/EC. As an active member of the Primary Food Processors (PFP), Starch Europe fully supports the PFP position provided in reply to this call for evidence. In particular, we would like to highlight an issue regarding cross-border transport.

The Association of Private Goods Wagon Interests Austria represents wagon owners, shippers and service providers around freight wagons (e.g. workshops) nationally and through our umbrella organisation UIP also internationally.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

We thank the Commission for the initiative to revise the Directive on weights and dimensions within the framework of the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy. Since the aim is to assess whether the rules of the current directive are sufficient to ensure the free movement of goods and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, from the automotive sector, as an important industrial sector in Spain and Europe, and…

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

Sustainability is a very important topic globally and in the EU. In the Fit for 55 programme the Commission outlines all measures to reach the goals for 2030. These goals are ambitious, but it is important for all of us to keep the global warming within the famous lines of 1,5 degree warming. The use of LONGER AND HEAVIER VEHICLES can be seen as an innovation which is directly applicable as a measure.

Feedback from Hungrail - Hungarian Railway Association Shifting traffic to rail is THE remedy, THE vaccine against the climate crisis. The decisive and fastest effective lever for CO2 savings is the shift of traffic from road to rail. Transport is the largest CO2 emitter with a share of 25% in Europe.

Association of Automotive Industry in Finland thanks for the opportunity to participate in the call of evidence and supports the development of weights and dimensions directive. At the same time, we find important that upcoming directive recognises national legislation regarding high-capacity transport (HCT) especially in the Nordic countries.

FEBELCEM, the Belgian Cement Industry Federation, is in favour of the weight of 44 tonnes as base weight within the European Union. However, it should be possible for the Member States to increase the maximum weight beyond 44 tonnes.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

I fully support the overall objectives pursued by the European Commission in its Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy (1) to make all transport modes more sustainable and (2) to make current sustainable alternatives such as railway widely available in intermodal end-to-end logistic supply chains with the aim to shorten the road operations as much as possible.

VGMS opinion on the European Commission’s ‘Commercial Vehicles — Weights and Dimensions’ initiative Dear Sir or Madam, VGMS welcomes the fact that, following the initiative to codify Directive 96/53/EC laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within the Community the maximum authorised dimensions in national and international traffic and the maximum authorised weights in international traffic, the…

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Proposal n°1: Amendment of Directive 96/53/EC (and Directive 2015/719/EU): Maximum authorised masses in international traffic Scope: • Reduce the number of vehicles circulating to the same quantity of goods transported • Encouraging intermodal transport Mode: • Regulate the most common vehicle configurations in EC transport • Minimize the impact from the manufacturers' point of view by avoiding having to adopt new…

The VDA represents the interests of the entire German automotive industry: manufacturers of passenger cars, trucks and buses, as well as suppliers and the manufacturers of trailers and bodies. In the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy (SSMS) published by the Commission on December 9, 2020, the Commission committed to beginning preparatory work on a possible legislative proposal to revise the Weights and…

Opinion Proposal for revision of Directive 96/53/EC on weights and dimensions: The professional association of freight forwarders and logistics in the Austrian Chamber of Commerce is the legal representative of all Austrian freight forwarders. The existing different rules on lengths are not appropriate for car transport in the EU and create difficulties.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

ESTA welcomes the announced revision of the Directive 96/53/EC of the commission on weights and dimensions. We see this a chance to adapt the recent rules and regulations to the latest developments in integrated information- and vehicle technology.

Finnish Forest Industries Federation thanks for the opportunity to participate in this call for evidence. Representing one of the biggest industry branches in Finland, forest industries have been actively involved in developing weights and dimensions of road transport for over 25 years.

The authorised dimensions and weights of heavy goods vehicles continue to be regulated in very different ways in the Member States of the European Union. These sometimes serious differences create unnecessary restrictions on cross-border transport; this creates distortions of competition between Member States.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

As CAT MOSOLF POLSKA Sp. z o.o. we suport initiative to enlarge maximum length of car carrier to minimum 20.75 meter and maximum weight up to 44 tons. This will allow to load more cars - which are bigger and heavier with every new model and also reduce CO2 emission.

Road transport in the EU is subject to agreed standards in terms of dimensions and weights. The current rules ensure inefficient transport and unfair competition. Absurd situations arise because the wording in the Directive leads to a strict interpretation of border crossing points. The current regime causes significant environmental damage and unnecessary congestion.

Filed in Dutch · English published by the European Commission

Anita considers that the Directive should be amended in order to make it more effective in helping to reduce the environmental impact of heavy goods transport by road and to reduce efficiency losses for road haulage companies.

Filed in Italian · English published by the European Commission

ADAMPOL S.A. for over thirty years has been operating in the field of international and domestic transport of passenger cars, vans and trucks. We fully support the introduction of a standard vehicle set length for car transport in Europe of at least 20.75 meters.

Ewald Raben, CEO of Raben Group statement: “As an entrepreneur managing an international company, I personally support the pan-European approval of the so-called LHVs (vehicle combinations with a length of 25.25 m). We have been examining this solution for years. In cooperation with our partners (e.g.

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland LTD thanks to be able to give feedback to this call of evidence. This answer is related to the reduce of energy consumption and GHG emissions. We can contribute to the topic on energy consumption and emissions of heavy vehicle combinations. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland LTD has done research on the emissions and energy consumption of heavy vehicle.

Maintaining transport chains is a huge challenge that is best addressed by often medium-sized enterprises. The transport sector is committed to sustainability, environmental and climate protection and transport safety and to its contribution to further pollutant reduction and efficiency improvement.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

GNTC support the position of UIRR about this upcoming revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive. We fully support the overall objectives pursued by the Commission in its Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy to make all transport modes more sustainable and, at the same time to make current sustainable alternatives such as railway widely available in an intermodal end-to-end logistic supply chains with the…

Asfares, the Spanish Association of Semi-trailers Manufacturers, would like to participate in this necessary modification of the Directive. First, this harmonization is urgent now and has to be ambitious to re-join the market and accelerate the reduction of emissions. Second, it should lead to more efficient vehicles, promoting in particular modular configurations.

Groupe CAT wants to promote for a harmonized loaded length in Europe for car transporters of ‘at least 20.75m’, as this will enable an overall reduction of the CO2 emissions. Even more important than harmonizing loaded length is the need to allow cross-border operations though.

PFP, the association for the European primary food processing industry, would like to take the opportunity of this call for evidence to comment on Directive 96/53/EC. In particular, we would like to highlight an issue regarding cross-border transport.

SNCF welcomes the upcoming revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive and the opportunity to share its view on this complementary piece of the revision of the Combined Transports Directive. Together, we believe they will create the right framework helping the combined transport to reach the objectives to increase the rail freight traffic by 50% in 2030 and double by 2050 as stated in the Smart and Sustainable…

CEFS, the European Association of Sugar Manufacturers, would like to take the opportunity of this call for evidence to comment on Directive 96/53/EC. In particular, we would like to highlight an issue regarding cross-border transport.

Commercial vehicles – weights and dimensions The Chamber of commerce in Finland and 19 chambers all-round Finland represents over 21 000 companies in Finland. We thank for this opportunity given, we consider this file very important for the functioning of single market and greening of transport sector.

AECOC is the Association of Manufacturers and Distributors, one of the largest business organisations in the country and the only one in which the large consumer industry and distribution work together to develop good practices and technological standards that help businesses become more efficient and competitive, bringing value to the consumer.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

The transport system is critical to European businesses, including the forest industry, and global supply chains. At the same time, transport emissions represent around 25% of the EU's total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), and these emissions have increased over recent years. The EU Commission is aiming at achieving a 90% reduction in transport-related greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

The European Steel Association, EUROFER, supports the general increase of vehicles’ maximum weight in the EU to 44t (and allowing individual countries to set heavier limits as in case of Nordic countries like Sweden and Finland) and the free transit of vehicles of this load between EU Member States, based on two main reasons: - Climate - Internal market In the attached EUROFER feedback document one can find further…

Westport Fuel Systems (Westport) welcomes the Commission’s assessment of the Commercial Vehicles Weights and Dimensions Directive. This Directive is an important element of the regulatory framework which ensures safety and environmental performance on our roads, and should be updated in line with latest technologies.

We support a revision of the Weights & Dimensions Directive that support the development of INTERMODALITY. In this respect, we support the 5 Guiding Principles listed in the answer of CER (Community of European Railways and Infrastructure Companies) to this call and which we believe should drive the discussions on Weights & Dimensions. 1.

The European Commission has invited stakeholders to provide views on a range of questions on the revision of current rules on weights and dimensions for heavy-duty vehicles. ACEA welcomes the initiative and is herewith providing comments. The last fundamental revision of the Weights & Dimensions Directive was only adopted 5 years ago ((EU) 2015/719), with additional amendments introduced in 2019 ((EU) 1242/2019).

“Vienna Local Railways Cargo Gmb>H supports the feedback from ÖBB who replied) to this call for evidence. Taking into account the dramatic impact on rail freight transport in Europe and the objectives of the European Green Deal that are no longer achievable, in particular, the European Commission’s proposals for increasing the weight of vehicles up to 60 tonnes and an over-length of 25.25 metres should be…

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Stern & Hafferl Verkehrsgesellschaft m.b.H. opposes any weakening of the maximum weights and vehicle dimensions (gigaliner) in road freight transport. We see this weakening as a massive disadvantage for freight transport by rail and this will lead to an additional shift of freight to road transport, contrary to what is also stated in the European Green Deal.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

We support that any measure aimed at reducing transport emissions and improving road safety should be implemented at European level. Maintaining the current situation with a lack of harmonisation in the context of a single transport market, discriminating between Member States and preventing the associated environmental, economic and social benefits from reaching a larger scale.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

We support a revision of the Weights & Dimensions Directive that promotes the development of INTERMODALITY. In this respect, we support the 5 GUIDING PRINCIPLES listed in the answer of CER (Community of European Railways and Infrastructure Companies) to this Call for Evidence and which we believe should drive the discussions on Weights & Dimensions: 1 Public authorities must set strict rules on the type of road…

With the European Green Deal and the Strategy on Sustainable and Smart Mobility, the European Commission explicitly supports greening freight transport – for instance by increasing rail freight traffic by 50% by 2030 and doubling it by 2050. Keeping in mind, that rail freight could save 19 million t CO2 until 2030 the political framework is more important than ever.

The Railways and Transport Union (EVG) refuses to approve the heavy and excessive trucks in Europe for many reasons. The Commission aims to reduce emissions from road transport. However, the registration of heavy goods vehicles will not reduce climate pollution, but will even increase it. For example, the Green Deal’s objectives and the shift of the essential share of freight to rail are not being met.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

We expressly support the following projects in connection with the related document (Ref. Ares(2022)478559-21/01/2022): Point (g) clearer wording of the rules for cross-border transport of heavier and larger vehicles; Point (h) automatic authorisation of cross-border traffic of heavier/longer vehicles between all adjacent Member States; Point (i) to bring the maximum weights and dimensions into line with the most…

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The FNTR, which represents the interests of more than 5 000 road haulage undertakings in France, wishes to give its opinion on the weights and dimensions by focusing on the following points set out in the attached note: — 44 cross-border tonnes — eco-combi 25.25 metres — standard P400 for semi-trailers — the derogation of 2 tonnes for vehicles using alternative fuels

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

Cepi is the European association representing the paper industry. We offer a wide range of renewable and recyclable wood-based fibre solutions to EU citizens: from packaging to textile, hygiene and tissue products, printing and graphic papers as well as speciality papers, but also bio-chemicals for food and pharmaceuticals, bio-composites and bioenergy.

Unesid, representing the steel and first steel processing industry, supports the increase in the maximum mass of lorries to 44 tonnes and the free transit between Member States of vehicles of this tonnage. There are several reasons for this: On the one hand, climate efficiency: each journey by which the load carried increases from the current approximately 22 t in different MSs to 26 t represents a very significant…

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

ERFA, as the voice of private and independent rail freight companies, warmly welcome the call for evidence for an impact assessment on the directive 96/53/EC on the maximum weights and dimensions of heavy-duty vehicles.

Hello, This topic is twofold: this is at the same time a question of the necessary harmonisation of the lengths and weights authorised at European level (in the EU) in order to enable transport to circulate freely in the European area.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

Glass for Europe, the trade association for Europe’s flat glass sector, would like to thank the commission for this opportunity to provide feedback. While the harmonization aimed at by Directive 96/53/EC is welcomed to realize the internal market in practice, the minimum harmonization approach gives rise to limitations that prevent optimization of transport flows of flat glass products.

Transportation and free movement of goods on the internal market is one of the core ideas of the European Union. Therefore, EU COM should have an overall approach to ensure easier access and smoother border crossings for transports of all modes.

As an association representing the construction, environmental and mechanical engineering, we continue to support the efforts to allow 44 tonnes of transport, the simplification of authorisation procedures and the regulation of costs in order to carry out appropriate CO2 optimisation. and to optimise the number of lorry journeys required! Yours sincerely, VDBUM e.V. Dipl.-Ing.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Grupo Sese is involved in research trials with European Modular Vehicles (EMS) for the last seven years. In 2015 we were the first company in make trials in Spain with EMS1 vehicles and in 2017 with EMS2 . With this experience we could remark that EMS2/Duotrailer (32 meters) reduce the CO2 emissions up to 30%, and also that EMS2 concept fixed beeter with the combined transport operations because is formed by two…

By setting a maximum weight of 40 tonnes for cross-border transport, while allowing Member States to set a higher weight for transport restricted to national territory, Directive 96/53/EC raises several problems, including: — The creation of distortions of competition by creating obstacles to the cross-border market and in particular allowing Benelux to benefit from an exceptional situation which derogates from the…

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

Koopman Logistics Group supports the objectives from the EU regarding the sustainability strategy. The logistics industry can support various initiatives but also needs the support from the EU commission to achieve the objectives. Besides alternative fuels, like Bio diesel, the weight and dimension harmonization is a well received initiative.

In recent years, two intergovernmental bodies working under the aegis of the United Nations have each published a fundamental report, reading which gives a better insight into the full extent of the actions to be taken to prevent a collapse of our societies.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

Finnish Chemical Industry supports European wide weight and dimensions standardization and the aim to decrease emissions from commercial vehicles and improvement of road safety. However, also national regulation is required to ensure different industrial density, railroad and road network, and infrastructure is taken into account.

The European Express Association welcomes the opportunity to submit feedback on the revision of Directive 96/53/EC and welcomes the proposed initiative. The revision of the file will ultimately result in a greener, low-carbon transport system in Europe and as set out by the objectives in the Green Deal, should aim at improving the efficiency of logistics and road freight operations across Europe.

Dear Sir or Madam, we welcome this initiative of the European Commission and would like to contribute to the following issues that are the subject of this initiative: 1. Fragmentation of the market due to a patchwork of national rules on maximum weights In our view, making road freight transport more energy-efficient and climate-friendly by increasing the permissible total weight uniformly is both appropriate and…

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The announced revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive is to be welcomed. The transport and logistics sector, and in particular the sector’s customers as well as end-users, will benefit from such revision on the condition that it is meaningful. Current rules for heavy-duty vehicles no longer suffice for transport and logistics companies to smoothly and sustainably operate in the EU internal market.

Road semi-trailer stand for about 70% of road freight transport volumes in the EU Weight's and dimensions of road semi-trailers have significant impact onto the ability of rail transport of semi-trailers. Currently, dimensions of all semi-trailers in Europe are well standardized and railcar industry has created "pocket" type railcar wagons, which correspond to these semi-trailer dimensions and allow a growing number…

Many of the issues of relevance to Transport and Logistics Nederland (TLN), which should be part of the revision, are also identified as such and this is assessed positively by TLN. There are a number of specific points that TLN would like to appoint: 1. The EU directive provides for a maximum permissible weight of 40 tonnes (ABS) for cross-border transport within the EU.

Filed in Dutch · English published by the European Commission

The Norwegian Ministry of Transport has no objections to the key objectives of revising the current rules. However, we have the following general comments to the list of possible policy measures: A precondition for increased permitted weights and dimensions for heavy-duty vehicles must be that the consequenses for existing infrastructure are evaluated carefully.

The freight forwarding and logistics industry strongly supports the revision and further harmonisation of existing EU rules on weights and dimensions. Inconsistent implementation criteria among Member States today distort competition in the internal market and hamper cross-border deployment of innovative longer types of vehicles, which can significantly contribute to further reducing CO2 emissions from road freight…

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The European Commission has adopted the Green Deal with the aim of significantly reducing Europe’s greenhouse gas emissions. The modal share of rail in land freight transport has decreased on average in the EU in recent years (18.7 % in 2020), while growth in freight transport is almost exclusively by road.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Achieving climate objectives or achieving climate neutrality is one of the Commission’s key objectives. However, many of the measures needed to achieve the objective can only be achieved in the longer term. However, aligning the maximum authorised weight of heavy goods vehicles to 44 tonnes in international transport is a fast effective and feasible measure.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

ECG – The Association of European Vehicle Logistics is the voice of the Finished Vehicle Logistics (FVL) industry in Europe, a truly multimodal sector, representing over 140 member companies and partners operating rail, road, maritime and fluvial modes across Europe.

Response of the Association of Railways to the European Commission’s survey on commercial vehicles — weights and dimensions The European Commission’s proposal leads to dramatic deterioration for rail freight transport in Europe and is in flagrant contradiction with the modal shift towards rail, which is often called for by the EU.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

A better utilization of the load capacity has several positive effects in the form of reduced CO2 emissions, less congestion and increased efficiency. In Denmark, the sector greenhouse gas emissions have been kept a stable level since 1990, despite significant increases in transport demand – by large made possible due to a national efficiency effort with increased load capacity initiatives at the centre.

CONFEBUS took note of the call for evidence for an assessment and impact assessment published by the European Commission on the revision of Council Directive 96/53 3/CE on maximum weights and dimensions of heavy-duty vehicles (the “Weight and Dimension Directive”).

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

The Polish Association of Non-normative Transport Employers brings together transport companies which provide over-board transport services by vehicles designed to transport indivisible loads. In addition to transport companies, we also bring together companies providing services in special vehicles such as mobile cranes and concrete pumps.

Filed in Polish · English published by the European Commission

NGVA Europe welcomes the EU Commission's initiative to revise the weights and dimensions Directive, to best fulfill the objectives of both safety and uptake of low-emissions vehicles. In particular, NGVA Europe would like to emphasize the following points: - Biomethane vehicles are a key solution to decarbonize the heavy duty sector (in fact, they are and still will be in the coming years one of the few already…

We are a railway company active i.a. in the field of international rail freight in Central Europe and in operation of an intermodal road-rail terminal and management of a rail network. We support a revision of the Weights & Dimensions Directive, which aims at improving intermodality between road and rail transport. Rail is ca.

We fully support the overall objectives pursued by the European Commission in its Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy (1) to make all transport modes more sustainable and (2) to make current sustainable alternatives such as railway widely available in intermodal end-to-end logistic supply chains with the aim to shorten the road operations as much as possible.

The Weights & Dimensions Directive revision is an opportunity to take a more holistic view and should take into account the relation and impact of the Directive on all modes of transport, including rail. To achieve the European Union’s goals on modal shift and climate ambitions, the compatibility and interoperability with other modes of transport should be a guiding principle of the revision.

We support the general authorisation of longer road vehicles and combinations. Given the advances in technology, we consider it effective to increase the dimensions, especially for the length of vehicles, and to allow the use of 25.25 metres modular combinations. This measure is rapidly feasible and has relatively low costs, with an immediate positive impact on both emission reductions and energy intensity.

Filed in Czech · English published by the European Commission

We fully support the overall objectives pursued by the European Commission in its Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy (1) to make all transport modes more sustainable and (2) to make current sustainable alternatives such as railway widely available in intermodal end-to-end logistic supply chains with the aim to shorten the road operations as much as possible.

Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom is the national authority for vehicles https://www.traficom.fi/en/ In Finland and in our only bordering EU Member State Sweden, 25.25 m / 60 t combinations have been allowed for more than 20 years. These EMS trucks are well-established basic logistics units in Finland and in Sweden. In Nordic countries the focus is already in 32-34,5 m long EMS2 combinations.

Opinion Proposal for revision of Directive 96/53/EC on weights and dimensions The Zentralverband Spedition & Logistik, Vienna, has the legal form of an association and represents the interests of Austrian freight forwarders and logisticians.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Desde FIAB aplaudimos la visión de la Comisión Europea en cuanto a la necesidad de ordenar las normas sobre los pesos y dimensiones máximos de los vehículos pesados utilizados en el transporte nacional e internacional para garantizar la libre circulación de mercancías en la UE, eliminar los obstáculos al tráfico entre los Estados miembros y mejorar las condiciones de competencia, al tiempo que la protección de las…

The aim of the initiative is to ensure that the dimensions and weights of commercial vehicles are used to their full potential, thereby increasing the overall load and extending the range of vehicles. However, it is obvious that larger rated vehicles will cause problems in urban road areas. The towing curves for longer vehicles are currently not demonstrated in the urban road area.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Lagermax is an logistic company, headquartered in Salzburg Austria, representing a labour force of >3.500 employees and an annual turnover of >500 mio. €. The business division Lagermax Autologistik International is one of the major players for pan-European transportation and local (national) distribution of finished vehicles in CEE.

Good Day, as a company Mosolf Transport Solutions GmbH, we expressly agree with the position of the ECG (Annex). In the transport of vehicles in particular, the lack of harmonisation at 20.75 m (loaded maximum length) is an operational obstacle in international transit, which leads to avoidable additional costs and, if uniformed to 20.75 m, contributes to CO2 avoidance.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

EU Commission consultation on weights and dimensions In Sweden we have used ECO-trucks for a long period of time. Heavier and longer trucks mean less CO2 exhaustion /tonkm, higher productivity and improved road safety. We hope that we in a near future will be given the same possibility as our finish colleagues to use trucks with a length up to 34,5 meters on specified roads.

Béton Prêt à l’emploi production in France amounts to 40,4 million m³ by 500 companies and produced in 1930 production units with a turnover of EUR 4 386,5 billion; the Syndicat National Prêt à l’Emploi (National Prêt à l’Emploi) brings together concrete production companies, which account for 80 % of production in France.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

The Alliance for Rail rejects the approval of excessive and over-heavy trucks in Europe. There is already sufficient evidence of the consequences of increasing truck weights and weights, which clearly militate against registration. Heavy goods vehicles can carry significantly more cargo than conventional trucks with slightly higher operating costs, which reduces road transport by about 30 %.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The current national regulatory plurality of the ZGG is a political anachronism in times of removal of trade barriers and increasing globalisation. The raw materials and building materials industries are subject to Europe-wide regulations in all relevant technical requirements, and nature conservation rules are largely laid down at European level.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Please find enclosed the opinion of the Austrian Trade Union Confederation (ÖGB) and the trade union vida on the proposal for a revision of Directive 96/53/EC on weights and dimensions. With over 130 000 members, the trade union vida (www.vida.at) is the voluntary representation of workers in the transport and service sectors. ÖGB has registered number 43246044354-41 in the Transparency Register.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Measures and weights in road freight transport and commercial vehicles are highly relevant in terms of exploiting potential for efficiency gains and thus CO2 optimisation in the transport sector. Long trucks: In order to facilitate the use of long trucks, cross-border use of these vehicle combinations should be made easier between the EU Member States that today allow the use of these vehicles.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The European Chemical Industry (Cefic) welcomes the proposed initiative. The revision of weights and dimensions will contribute to a more efficient and low-emission transport system. As all transport modes need to deliver to the green deal objectives, the revision should aim to drastically improve efficiency and equipment utilisation in road and combined transport.

The authorised dimensions and weights of heavy goods vehicles continue to be regulated in very different ways in the Member States of the European Union. These sometimes serious differences create unnecessary restrictions on cross-border transport; this creates distortions of competition between Member States.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

FinMobility thanks for the opportunity to participate in this call for evidence. We are also happy to provide more information on the Finnish transport industry's perspective, and look forward to the Commission's public consultation on the issue later this year.

Due to the high net weight of a wood carrier (approx. 20 tonnes), 44 t total weight makes sense because the trucks are double-ripened (lower ground pressure) and are usually technically designed for over 50 tonnes. A total length of 25 m wood length 19 m is necessary to optimise the use of the 19 m of a wagon in case of railway loading.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Work on changes, in terms of masses and dimensions of commercial vehicles, solely from the point of view of seeking to reduce pollutant emissions, through the widespread use of the ‘European Modular System’, is far from satisfactory from the point of view of operating non-standard transport units such as machinery and industrial equipment or constructions.

Filed in Polish · English published by the European Commission

The Conference of European Directors of Roads (CEDR), representing the national (public) road authorities (NRAs) in Europe, recognises the environmental benefits that could accrue from changes to the EU weights and dimensions directive.

essenscia supports the measures to meet the climate goals, the free trade and fair conditions of competition in transport, therefor we are supportive to this proposal on the revision of the Council Directive 96/53/EC on the maximum weights and dimensions of heavy-duty vehicles (the 'weights and dimensions directive') as part of the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and its action plan.

As a bulk transporter, the tonnage to be transported is an important aspect of fleet control in all its dimensions, such as planning, number of trucks, fuel consumption, driver occupancy. Cross-border freight transport between 2 Member States with an MTM of 40 tonnes is transverse to the authorised MTM of 44 tonnes in the Member States, for example between France and Belgium. This should certainly disappear.

Filed in Dutch · English published by the European Commission

Great economic importance of rail freight transport It is the European goal of rail freight transport to increase the share of rail from today's EU average of 18% to 30% by 2030 in order to neutralize the negative environmental and social impact of the projected strong growth of land-based transport.

Good days, I understand that it is essential to raise the maximum authorised load to 44 tonnes for a number of reasons: 1. We will reduce emissions. We are trying to lower the carbon footprint by all means and transport emissions are critical in this regard. 2. There is currently a serious problem of a shortage of drivers. This average would ease this situation. 3.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

In 2008, the world reached the peak of conventional oil production (IEA – 2018 World Energy Outlook). It is now estimated that the peak of absolute oil production has already been reached or is on the verge to be reached this year. CO2 emission is therefore not the only challenge we will have to face in the coming decades.

Enlargement to 44T offers multiple benefits, the main ones from our point of view are: (1) reduction of CO2 emissions 2) regulatory standardisation of transport between member countries (3) it would partially compensate for the shortage of professional drivers by reducing the number of trucks loaded.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

The 44 tonnes in the roundwood sector are long-term redundant, especially in our region. In Baden-Württemberg, 40 tonnes are currently allowed. In neighbouring France 52 t (with 5 axles) and 57 t (6 axles). France is only 20 km away. This is particularly the case for cross-border transport.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Dear Sir or Madam, our truck fleet consists of 3-axle tractors and 2-axle trailers. The tractors are registered for 26.000 kg and the trailers are registered for 18.000 kg together with 44 000 kg. These 44 000 kg are even entered in the registration certificate as the maximum permissible train mass. Unfortunately, we can use only 40 000 kg of total authorised weight in Germany.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Directive 96/53/EC as revised by Directive EU 2015/719 imposes a maximum weight for national and international road transport. By Decree No 2012-1359 of 4 December 2012, France authorised the carriage of goods by road at 44 tonnes within its borders, accompanied by technical regulations in order to limit greenhouse gas emissions, preserve road infrastructure and safety.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

All measures to achieve climate objectives, free trade and a level playing field in the transport sector should be supported, including the revision of Council Directive 96/53/EC on the maximum weights and dimensions of heavy goods vehicles. (“Weight and Dimensions Directive”) as part of the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

A general increase in the maximum permissible weight for HGV combinations by 10 % to 44 tonnes would allow for an increase in payload of the order of 15 %. However, taking into account the applicable maximum axle loads, it is likely that this is often only about 10 %. The so-called AASHO road test established the link between a vehicle’s axle load and the resulting road design damage.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

We are a traditional medium-sized enterprise in the south of Bavaria. Our businesses include road and civil engineering, GaLa Bau, transport concrete, extraction and manufacture of rock building materials, but also municipal services such as road construction and winter service. All our efforts are always linked to heavy trucks — transport.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Contribution from the Syndicat des Eaux de Sources et des Eaux Minérales Naturelles (SESEMN — France) Since 1 January 2022, pursuant to Decree No 2021-1006 of 29 July 2021 transposing Directive 2015/719, France has limited cross-border transport to 40 tonnes, which creates legal uncertainty between countries allowing transport to 44 tonnes within their borders.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

In 2008, the world reached the peak of conventional oil production (IEA – 2018 World Energy Outlook). It is now estimated that the peak of absolute oil production has already been reached or is on the verge to be reached this year. CO2 emission is therefore not the only challenge we will have to face in the coming decades.

Cross-border road transport of more than 40 tonnes is prohibited between Member States, except for Benelux. Member States which have authorised national transport of 44 tonnes should be able to carry out cross-border transport at 44 tonnes between themselves. An additional 4 tonnes of carriage account for 15 % of additional goods transported and as many lorries less on international roads.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

Limiting border trans PL traffic to 40 tonnes is absurdity without name. There must be no economic pragmatism to defend such a position! Europe badly lacks truck drivers and is environmentally virtuous. Limiting transfontalier crossings to 40 tonnes between sovereign countries which have validated the 44 tonnes on their territory means putting 10 % more lorries on this trap and increasing the shortage of drivers.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

The authorised dimensions and weights of heavy goods vehicles are regulated in very different ways in the Member States of the European Union. The patchwork creates unnecessary restrictions on cross-border journeys and distorts competition between Member States.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Cross-border transport with a total authorised weight of 44 tonnes should be allowed between two neighbouring Member States, such as Belgium and France, which each allow a total authorised weight of 44 tonnes on their own territory. Today’s ban is an absurdity that prevents carriers from reducing their environmental footprint and runs counter to the objectives of the Green Deal.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

GTT Automotive – Belgian spedition in B2B marked, proud member of ECG – The Association of European Vehicle Logistics GTT appreciates the opportunity to provide feedback to the Commercial vehicles – weights and dimensions (evaluation) initiative aiming at reaching the full potential of the single market and significantly reducing greenhouse emissions from transport.

Confartigianato Imprese believes that, as concerns weights and dimensions of heavy vehicles, it is extremely important to improve the standardization and harmonization of the rules in each EU Member State to further strengthen the whole transport apparatus. We are aware that reducing market fragmentation caused using oversized and overloaded vehicles is an objective to be achieved in the short term.

The current rules on the maximum length of single-powered buses (max. 18.75 m) are not adapted to the technical solutions available to meet the needs, e.g. current weights and track templates. Västtrafik has travelled for a couple of years through a local exemption with 21 m of single-powered buses, which worked very well.

Filed in Swedish · English published by the European Commission

GCA Automobile Logistics is a French company for the transport of light and heavy vehicles, operating more than 1000 lorries in Europe. Legislation on the weight and dimensions of loads is made by country. In other words, any border crossing means that its load must be aligned with the smallest of all the measures making up the legislation (total length of load, but also overshooting before, rear overshooting…

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

For a long time in many countries in the EU, the total authorised weight of HGVs is 44 tonnes, while in the area of wood transport, some of them have increased by up to 110 tonnes in Finland on selected routes. In these countries, companies in the wood industry have significantly lower transport costs and have significant benefits in terms of competition within the EU.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

In our dolomite and lime plant, as well as in our gravel and concrete plant, we produce mineral raw and building materials such as sands, kiese, transport concrete, ballast, splitting and industrial minerals. To a large extent in this context we also transport materials within the company over a line of 33 km from “Werk 1” to “Werk 2”.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The upcoming volume increases will have an impact on the amount of carbon dioxide emissions and in order to minimize this effect we need harmonized legislation all cross EU Members States. With maximizing efficiency comes ecology, less traffic and road safety.

Hello, 20.75m would significantly contribute to the saving of carbon emissions by increasing operators load factors with the same rolling stock that is already in use. Despite the drop in volumes in the automotive sector caused mainly by material shortages (especially microchips) in 2021, high demand is forecast to bring volumes back to historic levels in the near future.

We would also very much welcome a possible increase of the ZGG to 44 tonnes in normal traffic. Of course, the three-axle and four-axle vehicle combinations must also be adapted in this context. It should not be forgotten, however, that in this context combined transport also needs an increase (50 to!).

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Comments from Mercer Holz GmbH on the initiative: “Commercial vehicles — Weights and dimensions (assessment)” Mercer Holz GmbH is one of the largest European timber purchasing organisations with a purchase volume that requires approximately 5.0 million tonnes of roundwood per year. The wood is transported from the forest to loading stations or directly to the factories using roundwood trucks.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Saving CO² is one of the most important challenges for climate change mitigation. As a manufacturer and supplier of prefabricated concrete garages, we are often unable to combine two garages on a vehicle, where we often fail only in a few kilograms and therefore have to plan the garages with two vehicles and bring them to the customer.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

In order to drive forward the decarbonisation of road freight transport in Europe and to meet the European Union’s climate policy objectives, there is an urgent need to adapt or harmonise the dimensions and total weights of HGVs in the EU Member States.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Achieving climate objectives or achieving climate neutrality by 2050 is one of the Commission’s key objectives. However, many of the measures needed to achieve the objective can only be achieved in the longer term. Aligning the maximum authorised weight of heavy goods vehicles to 44 tonnes in international transport is a fast effective and feasible measure.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

We call for the widespread use of MMA at 44 tonnes in the EU as is the rule in several countries. The impossibility of crossing the border between France and Belgium at 44T is a counter-sense in legal, operational and environmental terms. Thinking that modal shift towards rail and inland waterways can be stimulated through such a measure is an error.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

We call for the MMA to be extended to 44 tonnes in the EU, as is the rule in several countries, in particular Benelux and France. The impossibility of crossing the French-Belgian border at 44T is a legal, operational and environmental herese and seems to be the result of exacerbated protectionism. It is also wrong to think that such a measure is to stimulate modal shift towards rail and inland waterways.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

The European Commission has set itself ambitious objectives in terms of economic competitiveness, social policy and responses to climate and environmental challenges. Transport policies are important levers to achieve these objectives. They must therefore be calibrated as effectively as possible to maximise their contribution to them. Acting on weights and dimensions is a very useful way to optimise them.

Filed in French · English published by the European Commission

The need for efficient and competitive transport to support the economic development of sectors such as cement means that the Cement Manufacturers Grouping (OFICEMEN) supports the need to make every effort to harmonise European transport. It is crucial to optimise road transport as much as possible by eliminating the existence of different limits in both the measures and the maximum authorised weight.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

For about 15 years, I have been advocating for changes to the ABMESSES and HGVs in Germany and EUROPA. To achieve one of the CO2 and other emissions reduction targets, many “building blocks” are needed to achieve the targets! These include LANG HGVs (how long they are), harmonisation of the zGG (total authorised weights of HGVs in Europe, but above all in Germany!

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

As a freight forwarder, we are active in the bulk and transport concrete sector. An increase in total authorised weights is the only way to save CO2. The engines have already been technically optimised and no major improvements can be made. Increasing weights is not a technical problem for modern vehicles and motorisation is also available for this purpose.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

FEGRA, the Belgian federation of cereal traders and agrosupply, would like to react on this public consultation. In the year 2022, many EU member states allow national bulk transport of 44 tonnes (in certain countries up to 50 tonnes).

At present, freight transport between two EU Member States is limited to a Maximum Authorised Mass (MTM) of 40 tonnes. In order to improve the environment, climate and economic efficiency, it would be better to align the Maximum Authorised Mass with the tonnages in force in the Member States, namely 44 tonnes. In this way, just over 10 % more goods can be transported on the same journey.

Filed in Dutch · English published by the European Commission

Dear, As the EU is one body, and one of the aims of the policies is to standardise regulations across member states, it is of crucial importance to clarify the rules on the cross-border transport of heavier and bigger vehicles. It would provide legal certainty recognising this common practice.

Two of the crucial aspects of the European Union’s structure are: — the unity of the market — the emission reduction targets set out in the Green Deal It therefore seems inconsistent for the current Community legislation to provide for limits on the maximum authorised weights of certain different vehicles in the different Member States of the European Union.

Filed in Spanish · English published by the European Commission

In a large part of the EU, a weight > 40to is already allowed at least in sub-areas. The technical conditions for this are therefore already met. A limit of 40 to for five axles is a technically outdated upper limit. An increase to 44to or more, for 5 axles and to 36to for 4 axles is long overdue. In any case, the LCA, caused by fuel consumption and road use, would be better.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Dear Sir/Madam, Dear colleagues, we also see the increase in the load limit as a step forward towards more sustainable scheduled cargo. If a semi-trailer is calculated roughly (current maximum load 40to), in our case a full vehicle could be saved if it is fully loaded in bulk traffic. We are looking forward to the decision!

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Dear Sir/Madam, Pleinfelder Quarzsand GmbH & Co. KG is a raw material extraction company which in particular produces quartz sands for the building chemistry and construction industry. These quartz sands are loaded using 40 to LkW. An increase in the maximum permissible total weight would increase economic efficiency and significantly improve CO2 emissions per tonne transported.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

The EU has already decided to load the four axles of lorries from 32 to 36 tonnes. Unfortunately, this is not implemented at Länder level in Germany. The transport concrete industry transports approximately 100 million tonnes of concrete annually in Germany, and every three lorries could be saved with a load of 4 tonnes.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

As this initiative rightly emphasises, one of the Commission’s key political priorities is to achieve climate neutrality in Europe by 2050 (European Green Deal). Transport accounts for a quarter of EU greenhouse gas emissions. Road transport is responsible for around 72 % of transport emissions, with 26 % coming from heavy duty vehicles, such as trucks.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

In the context of dimensions and weights, the highest possible degree of consistency should be sought. In the current situation, Member States may choose to increase the maximum weight above 40 tonnes for a combination of 5 axles. One option that has been used by several Member States.

Filed in Dutch · English published by the European Commission

The increase in the ZulGG to 44 tonnes by analogy with combined transport is worthwhile. In the heavy goods area, at least 10 % more cargo can be transported and lorries can be taken off the road. This is already the norm in 13 European countries. The avoidance of increased infrastructure loads is to be achieved with appropriate technical equipment (6. Axis) given.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Europe is committed to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and reducing CO2 emissions. The number of unfilled vacancies for truck drivers is high, there is a risk of a lack of transport capacity 44 tonnes may be transported in France. 44 tonnes may be transported in Belgium. But the border can only cross by 40 tonnes. This is completely absurd, which means that we need to use 10 % more trucks to do the same.

Filed in Dutch · English published by the European Commission

However, the current EU maximum total weight per vehicle combination -> 40 tonnes — is much higher in the vicinity of Germany: France 44 t, Belgium 48 t, the Netherlands 50 t, Scandinavia all 60 t, Poland 40 t (the same problem as in our case), Czechia and Austria, depending on vehicle configuration 42 or 44 t — in intermodal traffic anywhere in Europe 44 tonnes are allowed within the prescribed perimeter of the…

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Today’s minimum standard of 40 tonnes in the EU no longer meets both the requirements for a permeable single market and the necessary green deal. The vast majority of nation states have longer overall weights. However, Germany, which is central to Europe, refuses to develop further. The aim should be to increase the total weights of lorries to at least 44 tonnes on five axles.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission

Good Day, vehicle technology has advanced significantly, therefore it would be appropriate to increase the dimensions, in particular the length of vehicles, and to allow the use of 25,25 metres modular combinations, in order to reduce emissions. A longer articulated vehicle or even two or three-axle vehicles, e.g. 1.5 metres, can operate on the road without problems.

Filed in Czech · English published by the European Commission

The increase in the ZGG to 44 tonnes would lead to a significant improvement in the CO² balance as the efficiency of truck transport would be increased. Concerns about increased road use could include a 6. The axle is removed on the lorry. Unfortunately, the mantra of German policy that goods could be transported by rail fails due to the lack of rail capacity.

Filed in German · English published by the European Commission