Government hopeful longer lorries will reduce CO2 emissions

Date: 31/3/2011

Allowing lorry drivers to attach longer trailers to their cabs could help them to reduce the amount of carbon emissions they produce, the government has recommended.

According to the Department for Transport, independent research has suggested that not only would this be a greener option, but it could also be achieved without compromising the safety of road users.

Now, a consultation into the proposals has been launched, with discussion set to focus on plans to allow the total length of articulated lorries to be extended by two metres if they are operating within the existing weight limit of 44 tonnes.

While no rise in weight would be permitted, this would take the trailers to 18.75 metres in length, which would increase the capacity for the transportation of lightweight materials by 13 per cent.

The government estimates that as a result of this, carbon emissions would be cut by 100,000 tonnes annually.

Road Minister Mike Penning said: "These proposals would allow haulage firms to use one larger truck where previously they may have needed to send two vehicles."

TRL undertook a substantial part of the independent study, working with WSP. The reports are available <a href="http://www.wspgroup.com/en/Welcome-to-WSP-UK/WSP-UK/Press-centre-UK/News-Archive-UK/2011/DfT-Study/">here</a>.

This week, the European Commission detailed its proposals to phase out the number of conventionally-fuelled cars in the continent's cities by 2050.

Posted by Nick Anderson