On 26 March, MEPs passed a law that will literally change the face of trucks in Europe – from brick-shaped cabs to rounder more streamlined designs.

Transport & Environment (T&E) - that has a mission to promote, at EU and global level, a transport policy based on the principles of sustainable development and campaigned for the reform - said the new truck designs will save lives, carbon emissions and fuel. The vote in the European Parliament follows an agreement between governments and MEPs on a ‘direct vision’ safety standard that will also enhance truck safety.

Truck manufacturers will be able to lengthen the design of cabs by 80-90cm, but only if they use the space to provide better vision from the driver’s seat, improve aerodynamics, add new safety features and boost driver comfort. As a result, new truck cab designs in Europe are expected to include larger windscreens and have more streamlined bodies to reduce fuel use and pollution. The curved cabs should also better deflect pedestrians and cyclists in collisions.

James Nix, Freight Director at T&E said, “This reform is a win-win for industry and the public. The truck of the future will be sleeker, reducing fuel bills and emissions. It will also be safer through better driver vision of cyclists and pedestrians in particular. And truck drivers themselves will have more in-cab comforts.”

The newly-designed trucks will be allowed on Europe's roads from 1 September, 2020. However, European truck manufacturers have given no indication of when they will start producing these safer and cleaner models that will both save lives and save fuel for their customers.

James Nix concluded, “The next question is how soon manufacturers will take advantage of the EU’s new design blueprint. The EU has rolled out the red carpet for the next generation of truck cabs. If European truck makers don’t deliver them, then US and Asian manufacturers will. The race is on.”

Photo: New more streamlined trucks on the way.  Images courtesy of PEM Motion GmbH