Readers may recall that HGV tractors and trailers can now be up to 18.55m (61ft) long, 2.05m (6ft 9in) longer than the previous maximum allowed on UK roads after legislation passed in May 2023.
The longer semi-trailer (LST) trial began in 2012 with around 300 operators, including XPO Logistics, taking part. The trial covered about 2,700 trailers across the entire trial run by the Department for Transport (DFT).
XPO says the aim of the trial was to determine whether the longer trailers were safe to be used on UK roads and what benefits could be achieved in terms of larger loads resulting in fewer trips.
The company adds that it is estimated that through actual world use, longer trailers can be operated safely and deliver a 13% to 14% reduction in emissions. In a press release, XPO has cited DfT figures showing that emissions reduction was 8% to 9%, according to the DFT.
Commenting on the trial and its outcome, Dan Myers, managing director of XPO Logistics – UK and Ireland, said:
“We welcome anything that supports the industry to improve environmental performance while still keeping people safe. We are confident that this is one more step towards carbon neutrality.”
The average reduction in CO2 emissions during the 11-year trial was 70,000 tonnes, with 97 tonnes of NOx removed. This is equivalent to the amount of CO2 captured by around 11,600 acres of forest annually. The NOx reductions are the equivalent of removing around 2,000 diesel cars from the road per year, according to DFT figures.