European truck industry gears up for platooning by 2023

Europe’s truck manufacturers have revealed a detailed timeline of steps leading up to the introduction of convoys of semi-automated trucks on Europe’s motorways before 2025, with the publication of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) report EU Roadmap for Truck Platooning. This also provides guidance to policy makers and authorities on the regulatory changes and political support necessary for cross-border truck platooning. Truck platooning is the linking of two or more trucks in convo
May 19, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
Europe’s truck manufacturers have revealed a detailed timeline of steps leading up to the introduction of convoys of semi-automated trucks on Europe’s motorways before 2025, with the publication of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (6175 ACEA) report EU Roadmap for Truck Platooning. This also provides guidance to policy makers and authorities on the regulatory changes and political support necessary for cross-border truck platooning.


Truck platooning is the linking of two or more trucks in convoy, using state-of-the-art connectivity technology and driving support systems. The truck at the head of the platoon acts as the leader, with the vehicles behind reacting and adapting to changes in its movement, requiring little or no action from drivers. The first real-life tests with truck platooning are already underway.

The roadmap provides an overview of the steps that are necessary to implement multi-brand platooning by 2023.

While manufacturers are already exploring the business case for truck platooning with the logistics sector, ACEA says certain conditions need to be met before 2023 are beyond the control of the truck industry, including strengthening cooperation between all stakeholders and policy-makers in particular.

At the same time, it will be imperative to get political support for promoting the wide-spread introduction of platooning. Governments should, for example, introduce incentives, such as toll and tax reductions, CO2 bonuses or flexibility in driving time, to stimulate the market uptake of truck platooning.

Location Based Systems

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Ukraine turns to ITS to cope with traffic increases
    June 9, 2015
    With increasing road fatalities the Ukrainian government is planning to introduce ITS technology in 2016-2017. Eugene Gerden finds out more. The government of Ukraine is considering a massive introduction of ITS in the national system of traffic during the period 2016-2017, according to a recent statement by the Ukrainian Ministry of Transport. According to the Ukrainian government, implementation of the project is an acute need, as in recent years the number of road accidents in Ukraine has significantly
    Read More
  • Pan-European travel information is a reality – at a price
    November 26, 2013
    Pan-European, multi-modal traffic and travel information is now available, for drivers willing to pay for it. Jon Masters reports. Those able to afford a new car with all the latest options including internet connectivity can now look forward to getting detailed up-to-the-minute traffic information. They can also access multi-modal travel data, such as train times, plus weather forecasts and parking availability. Take the connected car to any Western European country and the system still works with live
    Read More
  • IBTTA: industry must commit to trust and accountability
    August 23, 2018
    Without a commitment to trust and accountability, the modern road tolling industry would not have the bedrock which it requires – and which customers demand, says IBTTA’s Bill Cramer When Tim Stewart, executive director of Colorado’s E-470 Public Highway Authority, settled on ‘trust and accountability’ as the themes for his year as IBTTA president, it was a very deliberate choice. Stewart was looking for language that would help deliver the global tolling industry’s message of service excellence to cust
    Read More
  • Road user charging potential solution to transportation problems
    December 14, 2012
    A number of new and highly significant open road tolling schemes have just been launched or are soon to ‘go live’. Systems of road user charging are flexing their muscles as the means to solve politically sensitive transportation problems, reports Jon Masters. Gothenburg, January 2013, will be the time and place for the launch of the next city congestion charging scheme in Europe. In a separate development, Los Angeles County’s tolled Metro ExpressLanes began operating in November 2012 – the latest in a ser
    Read More

Highlighted Content