To improve transport efficiency and reduce environmental impact, and with the expectation of a 4-6 per cent reduction in emissions from heavy goods vehicles, the Swedish Transport Administration has opened the road network to trucks up to 34.5 metres in length from 1 December. The longer trucks are also expected to reduce transport costs, making companies more competitive.

34.5-metre trucks allowed on 590 kilometres of Swedish roads

The DAF XD Electric and DAF XF Electric will participate in a British programme to demonstrate zero-emission transport solutions for long-distance operations using battery electric trucks. The ‘Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme’ will run for five years.

DAF electric HGVs in British long-distance zero-emission truck demonstrator programme

Renewable HGV-biomethane supplier ReFuels N.V. has announced the start of construction of a new 100% renewable biomethane refuelling station in Doncaster, UK.

Doncaster to get new renewable biomethane filling station

DHL Supply Chain is rolling out hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) fuel across the majority of its on-site fuelling stations throughout the UK by the end of the year, the company announced last week.

DHL to transition on-site fuelling stations from diesel to HVO by the end of the year

German rail freight organisations have raised their voices against the extension of the licence for long lorries, saying it will encourage hauliers to continue transporting goods by road rather than by rail for environmental reasons.

Citing increased road freight competitiveness, rail groups urge German Government to abandon long trucks

The German government is proposing an extension of Type 1 long lorries usage in Germany; it has not been finally decided yet and is subject to pending state and association hearings.

Germany weighs extending use of 17.88-metre long lorries for another 3 years

Logistics UK is calling on the government to create national standards for all Low Traffic Neighbourhoods, Clean Air Zones and Low and Zero Emission Zones in the country to minimise costs and bureaucracy for logistics operators and inflation for customers.

Logistics UK calls for national standards for different low emission and clean air zones

The German Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV) has announced a new €400 million funding program to support companies in setting up fast-charging infrastructure for cars and lorries.

Germany launches €400 million funding program for fast-charging infrastructure for commercial vehicles

After growing opposition from various quarters, including the local Labour group, Cambridge City Council has decided to shelve its congestion charge plans.

Cambridge drops congestion charge proposal after heavy opposition

Romania is set to become one of the first countries in Europe to use electric lorries for the transport of goods on a national scale, states a press release by DSV Road, the third largest freight transport company in Europe.