ECG — 2024-10-09
News from ECG
Around 14 years ago ECG had the first meetings with officials from the European Parliament and Commission about harmonising the rules for vehicle transporters at EU level, to make transportation more efficient, save emissions, and finally allow vehicle transporter operators to work in a single market with the same rules applicable in all Member States. Today, we took one step closer to a solution.
On 8 October, the new European Parliament Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee adopted the report of the previous TRAN Committee on the revision of the Weights & Dimensions Directive (Council Directive 96/53/EC).
ECG is pleased by this step forward taken by the new members of the TRAN Committee. The report on the revision of the Weights & Dimensions Directive contains a proposal to harmonise loaded length of vehicle transporters at EU level. Currently the Directive establishes a maximum length of 18.75m for road trains which includes vehicle transporters. However, the authorised loaded length on national roads is often longer than that and in a majority of Member States vehicle transporters have a special recognition in national law and, thus, specific and longer allowable loaded lengths. ECG has been advocating for such harmonisation as it will result in fewer trucks on the road, less emissions and will contribute to addressing the critical problem of driver shortage.
“Operators in the vehicle logistics sector have not been working in a single market so far. We need the EU to finally give legal certainty to thousands of trucks transporting vehicles and crossing EU borders everyday” said Frank Schnelle, ECG Executive Director designate.
“We are very pleased with the pragmatic approach taken by the European Parliament. This will allow the transport sector to become more sustainable and support the decarbonisation goals of the EU”, added Schnelle.
Now that the TRAN Committee has given the green light, negotiations with the Council can start in the coming months once a common approach has been agreed by Member States.
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