Gigaliner trials in german federal states

Since the federal parliamentary elections at the end of 2009, the German government has been actively pushing the issue of longer heavier trucks (LHVs). “We want to enable new concepts for commercial vehicles by modestly increasing the length and weight of HGVs (…). We want to evaluate the pros and cons in nationwide field trials.”

It has been clear since the summit of transport ministers in October 2010 that nationwide trials will not take place. At the summit of transport ministers from the 16 federal states, or Länder, the majority of the states voted against trials of longer trucks.

What are the positions of the federal states on the German government's plans for mega truck trials?

*Although Thuringia's transport minister Carius from the CDU supports the LHV trials, the state government's coalition agreement (CDU-SPD) is clearly against further trials of LHVs. It states: "The pilot project on the use of 'Longliners' will not be extended by the Free State of Thuringia." The SPD as part of Thuringias government rejects the trial.

Five year trials, including district roads.


Regardless of the fact that the majority of states reject LHVs, the Federal Transport Ministry is still determined to allow them to be used in Germany. The so-called trial shall begin in spring 2012 and is scheduled to last at least five years. One thing is already clear: deployment of LHVs will not be limited to motorways. On the contrary, routes will now also include federal trunk roads and even district roads, the government has announced.

Profit seekers pushing hard for LHVs

Large transport companies and vehicle manufacturers are set to profit most from longer and heavier trucks. In Germany, the proponents of LHVs have joined forces in the „Initiative für Innovative Nutzfahrzeuge“ (Initiative for Innovative Commercial Vehicles). Members of the initiative include the Automotive Industry Association (VDA), the Federation of German Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services (BGA) and Federal Association of Freight Transport, Logistics and Disposal (BGL). The associations agree that goods vehicles should be longer and heavier, but the proponents are still divided on the exact length and weight. The BGA is calling for LHVs to be 25 metres long and weigh 60 tonnes, the BGL wants the trucks to be even longer – 26.5 metres.

Trials in individual states

Since 2006, trials of longer, and in some cases heavier, vehicles have been taking place in several German states. Most of these trials have now been suspended. However, although the state transport ministers had already decided in October 2007 that there would be no more trials, supporters of LHVs did not give up: trials were extended, some new trials were even started.

Overview of trials currently taking place in Germany

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