In September 2024, a one-year pilot project was launched in Germany to trial a truck combination with a total length of 31.70 metres, known as the EcoDuo.
The pilot test is being led by the Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) and is receiving scientific support from TÜV Rheinland. The EcoDuo itself is being provided by the vehicle manufacturer Schmitz Cargobull.
The vehicle combination consists of a tractor unit and two standard semi-trailers connected via a dolly axle. Unlike long trucks, whose semi-trailer dimensions deviate from the norm, the standard semi-trailers used in the EcoDuo can be easily loaded onto rail transport.
Double freight in a single trip
Schmitz Cargobull has been advocating for years to have this vehicle combination approved for use on a positive network—i.e., a designated and approved road network—in Germany.
During the test phase, global logistics service provider Sesé is operating the EcoDuo on a route from Volkswagen’s plant in Wolfsburg to the MegaHub Lehrte terminal near Hanover, 70 kilometres away. There, the semi-trailers are loaded onto the rail and transported 1,700 kilometres to Spain within the Kombiverkehr KG network. At the transshipment station in Barcelona, the individual semi-trailers are coupled together again to form an EcoDuo combination and then transported by road to their final destination by Sesé.
TÜV Rheinland is conducting scientific assessments to evaluate the EcoDuo’s fuel consumption, load capacity, and suitability for everyday use. After the one-year trial, the results will be reviewed to determine whether the vehicle will be approved for regular operation in Germany.
Successful deployment in Scandinavia and Spain
While the EcoDuo is still undergoing trials in Germany, it has already been successfully implemented in Scandinavia—particularly in Sweden and Norway—and was approved for use in Spain in January 2024.
The Spanish CEP transport company Furgo-Trayler purchased 25 EcoDuo trailers from Schmitz Cargobull in November last year.
Advantages of the EcoDuo:
- Reduction in fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions per tonne transported by up to 25%
- Integration of road and rail transport – two semi-trailers can be easily loaded onto the rail or ferry
- Reduced road congestion – doubling transport capacity while decreasing overall road traffic
- Mitigation of driver shortages – replacing two conventional trips, requiring only one driver
A future for German roads?
The EcoDuo presents an economically and environmentally efficient transport solution. Its standardized design allows for seamless integration into existing logistics systems. The decision on its potential approval in Germany will depend on the test results. If the EcoDuo receives regulatory approval, it could play a key role in sustainable logistics and help alleviate the driver shortage.
“For me, the EcoDuo is a prime example of future mobility and our ability to innovate. It demonstrates how we can fully exploit the potential of combined transport and how seamlessly road and rail can work together,” said Andreas Rade, VDA Managing Director, at the start of the project.