Where are mega trucks permitted in Europe

Longer and heavier vehicles (LHVs) have been permitted in Finland and Sweden for some time. But Scandinavia's spacious, relatively sparsely populated regions with little road traffic cannot be compared with the rest of Europe, where the dense networks of heavily used roads are not suitable for mega trucks.

After joining the European Union, Finland and Sweden's LHVs were given special protection and are permitted to continue operating within their own borders. However, they are not allowed to cross into other European countries. But the anti mega trucks campaign is not against the Scandinavian vehicles – it is about much more. If the mega truck lobby get its way, they will soon be seen on roads right across Europe.

Trials of longer, heavier vehicles. Exactly what is being tested?

Some European states look favourably on LHVs, including Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark and Germany. These countries are planning, or are already carrying out, vehicle trials. But what are they expecting to get out of such 'tests'. Lower CO₂ emissions? No surprises here, as long as the tests disregard the effects on other modes of transport such as the railways and inland waterways. No accidents? Hardly to be expected since the trials are taking place under near perfect conditions, with accident-free, expert truck drivers at the wheel. They are not allowed to overtake and have to keep to an exact timetable and predefined route. However, the reality for road hauliers is completely different, with competition and pricing pressure dictating business decisions, and delivery deadlines affecting the drivers' daily routine. The vehicle trials are obviously not really about gaining any new insights.

In reality, the trials taking place in some EU countries are, above all, about testing the regulatory conditions 'on the ground'. The goal is to adjust these conditions to the benefit just a few - mainly vehicle manufacturers, large road hauliers and certain large wholesalers. The so-called trials of LHVs are nothing but politically motivated – they are about establishing LHVs as a reality and supplying the political process with pseudo results. This is why it makes sense to demand that all trials of LHVs are stopped without delay.

Denmark: Supposedly limited "trial" prolonged until 2017
Germany: Federal government wants gigaliner trials – majority of federal states against deployment
The Netherlands: Several years of testing create fait accompli