Preliminary results of EU-study: Mega trucks “beneficial for society”?

6 Sep 2008. Publication of the EU Commission's study on Gigaliners has been further delayed, with only preliminary results being presented by the study's authors on behalf of the EU Commission on July 10 in Brussels. Their conclusion was alarming: “Introducing LHVs is overall beneficial for the European society”.

However, the individual results that were presented are in complete contrast to the authors' conclusion that LHVs will be “generally better for society”, because even by their own most conservative estimates the cost to the taxpayer will be substantial. They reckon that infrastructure costs will reach up to 46 billion euros just for bridges alone. The experts also admit that mega trucks are more dangerous than the current heavy goods vehicles, and expressly concede that there will be a shift in freight transport from trains and inland waterways. But the study's authors regard these facts, which are certainly not good for the public, as being largely irrelevant. The only important factor for them is cheaper road freight transport, even if only a minority will profit from it. Beneficial for society?

More on the EU study on LHVs: