Automotive Resources

There is every chance that the European Commission will allow mega trucks to start moving between different areas of the UK meaning the trucks would become the norm on UK roads. This is if the plans are given the go ahead to continue. The trucks are 25 metres in length. They are also going to be 60 tonnes in weight. The current limit for a truck in the UK is 16.5 metres and 44 tonnes. The government is beginning with a trial of 18.5 metre trucks. This will take place in the next month.

There are those who are against the mega trucks going from Europe to the UK. UK haulage companies will also be at a disadvantage because the trucks would take over the roads. It will put pressure on these haulage companies to also increase the size of their trucks to stay above or within the competition.

The UK government is being told they have to oppose the proposal from the EC in order to resist failure of UK haulage companies in the near future. It will certainly impact the roads offering more of a chance for fatalities, congestion and pollution. Bringing mega trucks to the UK will also cost taxpayers money. The roads would have to be adapted for these bigger vehicles. Even bridges would have to change slightly. The adaptation costs would be at least 5 billion Euros. This is based on Austria which is much smaller, but they have already paid about that much for the adaption.

Things like this have a sizable impact and nothing, not even the little amount saved by fuel cards, can help reduce the costs for fleet drivers. In fact that is another worry. Fleet drivers will have to account for the larger vehicle needing more fuel. It is supposed to be a way to save in that one gets more work done with the larger vehicle, but that is not always the case.

The truck could go half empty which would mean a lot spent on fuel, but barely any cargo to help pay for it. There are upsides and downsides to the mega trucks hitting the UK roads. There are certainly those who are for and against the entire concept. The decision has yet to be made and the trial is only beginning, so one will have to wait for the results to see what might actually occur in the near future.