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The European Parliament is set to engage in February in a crucial debate over proposed amendments to Directive 96/53/EC on weights and dimensions of heavy-duty vehicles used in national and international transport. This discussion comes at a pivotal moment, with the freight transport sector seeking to maximise efficiency, address driver shortages, and contribute to decarbonisation efforts.

The Commission proposal includes provisions allowing (but not mandating) cross-border operations with European Modular System (EMS) vehicles between countries allowing their circulation on their territory. CLECAT asserts that the use of EMS will have a positive impact on overall freight transport, fostering competition and innovation within the road transport sector.

CLECAT has emphasised the importance of clarifying rules regarding cross-border transport operations with heavier and longer vehicles. The directive revision aims to provide Member States the flexibility to authorise such operations, thereby facilitating the free movement of goods, reducing inefficiencies, and contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Research studies on the use of EMS dismiss concerns related to reverse modal shift and reduced road safety. Evidence from logistics operators that have made use of EMS suggests that such vehicles have not substituted rail or inland waterway travel, but rather led to the replacement of conventional 40-tonne trucks, leading to less trucks on the road for the same amount of cargo transported. Therefore, CLECAT encourages MEPs to endorse the proposed recommendations, particularly those related to the circulation of EMS vehicles. The Commission's proposal to include a new paragraph in Article 4, outlining conditions for the cross-border circulation of EMS vehicles, is a significant step forward in maximising road transport efficiency.

While some stakeholders call for strengthened conditions, CLECAT contends that the proposed provisions, as outlined by the Commission, are reasonable. The need for information on maximum allowed weights and dimensions of EMS in specific countries, along with details on the network where EMS can circulate, is deemed essential for efficient road transport supply chains.

The use of EMS will have a positive effect on overall freight transport, with more efficient trucks encouraging competition within the road transport sector, and spurring innovation in related modes, such as rail. Also, the potential integration of EMS vehicles with other modes of transport is a key driver for door-to-door logistics solutions without compromising road safety.