Message from the Secretary General – November 2015

Platooning – which is the linking of two or three self-driving trucks in convoy – can optimise transport by using roads more effectively, delivering goods faster through fewer traffic jams. Even more important, platooning has the potential to improve road safety, make transport more fuel efficient, and thus significantly reduce CO2 emissions from heavy-duty vehicles. Manufacturers are eager to bring this technology to Europe’s roads and the first real-life tests are underway. However, differences in legislation between EU member states mean that it will take some more years before we can see these convoys on the road.

If we want to take advantage of the potential of self-driving trucks, it is important to harmonise all relevant national regulations. French law, for example, defines a safe driving distance between trucks as 50 metres, while Germany uses a different unit of measurement as it enforces a driving time of two seconds. To accelerate the introduction of automated trucks in Europe, the Netherlands – which will take over the EU Presidency from Luxembourg on 1 January – is organising the European Truck Platooning Challenge in order to put the subject high on the agenda of EU policy makers in 2016. This pilot project will bring various self-driving trucks on the road with a mission to cross European borders in convoy.

ACEA and its commercial vehicle members are actively supporting and participating in the European Truck Platooning Challenge in order to make self-driving trucks a common sight in the near future. Platooning will not only help the European truck industry to strengthen its technical leadership and global competitiveness, but also is expected to make a significant contribution to reducing CO2 emissions from road transport. Studies estimate that truck platooning can reduce fuel consumption, and with that CO2 emissions, by up to 5%.

Even though Europe’s truck manufacturers have reduced CO2 emissions from their vehicles by 60% over the last decades, ACEA members believe that more can be done by looking beyond vehicle technology alone. That is why truck platooning is part of the industry’s comprehensive approach to further reducing CO2 emissions. This holistic approach not only focuses on new vehicles, but instead looks at all elements that affect emissions during the use of a truck. Besides the vehicle itself, trailer design, alternative fuels, logistics, infrastructure and ITS technology (such as platooning) all play a decisive role in bringing down CO2 emissions.

Building upon the results of an independent study launched last year, ACEA has been working in partnership with some 15 relevant stakeholders to examine the full potential of such an approach for heavy-duty vehicles. On 3 December we will be organising a lively debate on cutting down emissions from road transport with policy makers, truck manufacturers, automotive suppliers, the fuels industry, the road sector, road transport operators and freight forwarders. Marjolijn Sonnema of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment will join us on that day to present the ambitious agenda of the upcoming Dutch EU Presidency.

Ms Sonnema will highlight how the European Truck Platooning Challenge, and ITS technology in general, can make a significant contribution to this integrated approach that holds the promise to further reduce fuel consumption, and thus CO2 emissions, in years to come. The event will be an opportunity to identify the best, and most effective, common solutions for meeting Europe’s climate change ambitions. Coinciding with the COP21 conference in Paris, this event promises to be more relevant and timely than ever.

I am looking forward to welcoming you in Brussels on 3 December! Make sure you register for the event, by clicking here.

Erik Jonnaert