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

  • UK government to investigate best practice for travel information
    January 30, 2012
    The UK Government has been advised by an internal inquiry that it should investigate examples of best practice in travel information services. So where might it look? Jon Masters reports. Publication of a UK Government report on road congestion this year has highlighted a need to look beyond home borders when searching out answers to pressing problems. With regard to issues of travel information in particular, UK transport professionals would do well to look overseas for solutions they can emulate.
    Read More
  • Promoting cycling is the solution to congestion and pollution
    August 20, 2015
    Cycling offers health, air quality and road space/parking benefits, promoting governments and the EU to look at tax and technology initiatives. David Crawford reports. One way to improve urban air quality is to make green alternatives to car use financially attractive. Incentivising employees to switch their travel-to-work mode to using their own bikes could increase cycling’s modal share of commuting travel by 50%, a recent French research project suggests. The country’s government already subsidises pu
    Read More
  • Driver assisted truck platooning: webinar
    April 22, 2014
    Ertico-ITS Europe’s latest webinar, Driver Assisted Truck Platooning: Evaluation, Testing, and Stakeholder Engagement for Near Term Deployment will be held on 25 April at 1600-1700. Driver assisted truck platooning, enabled by V2V communications, offers substantial fuel economy and safety benefits for long haul trucking. A project started in 2013 under the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Exploratory Advanced Research program has funded Auburn University, Peloton, Peterbilt Trucks, Meritor-Wabco
    Read More
  • 2getthere calls for stricter AV regulations
    April 13, 2018
    Authorities will have to introduce strict regulations to ensure the safe introduction of autonomous vehicles (AVs) on public roads, according to a white paper published by Utrecht-based company 2getthere. Called Safety in Autonomous Transit, the report states that authorities should set more firm conditions on road safety, reliability and availability of these vehicles and also for the spatial planning of public areas where AVs operate. 2getthere highlights that governments will have to set tighter
    Read More

Highlighted Content