Flexible approach to truck dimensions will have greater impact on fuel efficiency, say manufacturers
Brussels, 18 March 2014 – Following today’s vote by the Transport Committee of the European Parliament on the revised directive on truck weights and dimensions, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) reiterates 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,” explained Mr Jonnaert. “The industry is committed to continuing to build safety technologies into commercial vehicles.”
Notes for editors
- For a video outlining recent developments in truck safety, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-C3ibd2nTs.
- For more details on the industry’s position on the revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive, visit http://www.acea.be/publications/article/truck-of-the-future-innovative-fuel-efficient-and-safe.
About ACEA
- The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) is the Brussels-based trade association of the 14 major car, van, truck and bus producers in Europe.
- The ACEA commercial vehicle members are DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ford Trucks, Iveco Group, MAN Truck & Bus, Scania, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, and Volvo Group.
- Visit www.acea.auto for more information about ACEA, and follow us on www.twitter.com/ACEA_auto or www.linkedin.com/company/ACEA/.
- Contact: Cara McLaughlin, Communications Director, cm@acea.auto, +32 485 88 66 47.
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About the EU automobile industry
- 13.0 million Europeans work in the automotive sector
- 11.5% of all manufacturing jobs in the EU
- €374.6 billion in tax revenue for European governments
- €101.9 billion trade surplus for the European Union
- Over 7% of EU GDP generated by the auto industry
- €59.1 billion in R&D spending annually, 31% of EU total
