Press release
418KB
april 05, 2016 - Volvo Trucks
Trucks on a European Truck Platooning Challenge
March 18th marks the start of the Volvo Group’s participation in the #europeantruckplatooningchallenge. On the initiative of the Dutch Presidency of the EU, three #volvotrucks communicating wirelessly and driving closely behind one another, in a method known as platooning, will travel through Europe to Rotterdam. The aim is to move a step closer to the introduction of platooning in Europe.
When trucks can drive closely behind one another, fuel economy is improved as a result of the reduction in drag. Drag accounts for up to 25% of a truck's total fuel consumption and so the closer the trucks drive to each other, the greater the fuel-saving potential. Using wireless technology, the trucks can drive with only about a one-second gap between the vehicles in a platoon. By communicating with each other, the trucks automatically match each other's speed and braking.
"Essentially, this means that the reaction time for braking is reduced to zero, which in turn improves safety and minimizes the ‘accordion effect' in connection with traffic congestion," says Anders Kellström, Project Manager for Volvo's participation in the EU #truck Platooning Challenge.
It is currently not possible to utilise the advantages of platooning on Europe's roads, since legislation in the various countries governing the safe driving distance between trucks differs. The Netherlands has initiated the #europeantruckplatooningchallenge in an effort to discuss and highlight the changes required in European transportation legislation that would facilitate the introduction of platooning. Consequently, all European #truck manufacturers have been invited to drive #truck convoys to a final event in Rotterdam on April 6th 2016.
The Volvo Group will participate by driving three Volvo FH trucks and trailers in a platoon from Gothenburg to Rotterdam in the Netherlands via Denmark, Germany and Belgium. Volvo, in co-operation with the Swedish Transport Administration and the City of Gothenburg, will arrange a seminar in Gothenburg in conjunction with the start of the journey to address the potential to enhance the efficiency of transportation through platooning and autonomous driving. A similar seminar will be arranged by #volvotrucks in Brussels on April 5th.
"We believe that platooning offers major advantages, mainly for our customers, but also for society in general in the form of fuel savings, reduced emissions and enhanced transportation efficiency. Together with the rest of society, the transportation industry needs to tackle such challenges as the harmonisation of legislation and in so doing promote the introduction of platooning in Europe," adds Anders Kellström.
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