The ongoing revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive should aim at promoting the uptake of Zero Emission Road vehicles in a way that is fully aligned with EU climate and transport policy objectives, while protecting road infrastructure, and safeguarding rail freight and combined transport. However, the current positions of the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council all include elements that risk opening the door to the widerdeployment of longer and heavier vehicles - so called European Modular Systems (“megatrucks” or “gigaliners”). This raises serious concerns and runs counter to both the interests of EU citizens and the objectives of an interoperable and intermodal European transport system.
Public opposition is already significant. A recent EU-wide perception survey of 5,400 citizens across all 27 Member States shows overwhelming support for rail freight as the backbone of European logistics, while only 2% of respondents support the cross-border circulation of longer and heavier trucks. This finding is consistent with a 2024 survey conducted in nine EU Member States, involving more than 8,000 respondents, which found that over 60% of the French, Italians and Austrians oppose the deployment of megatrucks. The same study finds that:
• 73% believe megatrucks would accelerate the deterioration of road infrastructure.
• 68% anticipate negative effects on road safety.
• 85% expect increased risks for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
• 84% expect higher public spending for roads and bridges.
• 75% believe megatrucks would weaken rail freight by making road transport cheaper. (....)