On March 12, 2024, during the plenary session, the European Parliament ratified new regulations concerning the weights and dimensions of industrial vehicles operating on an international scale. The key update is the increase in the total mass of articulated trucks to 44 tons, up from the current limit of 40 tons. Currently, the 44-ton limit is permitted only in certain countries for national operations (including Italy) and under specific conditions for intermodal transport.
This extension to 44 tons will, however, apply only to diesel engine vehicles until the end of 2034. After this date, the allowance will be exclusive to zero-emission vehicles, such as electric ones, in order to encourage their use by compensating for the additional weight of the batteries.
Another significant measure is the green light for heavier (up to 60 tons) and larger (up to 25 meters) vehicle combinations. Again, these limits are already permitted, under various conditions, within some member countries (like Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, and Germany). Some countries have signed bilateral agreements for international transport, but now the new legislation will extend this possibility across the Union, albeit with certain restrictions. The MEPs have stipulated that an assessment on the impact of these vehicle combinations on road safety, infrastructure, intermodality, and the environment must be conducted.
The vote on March 12 is not final, as the text emerging from the plenary session must now be discussed with the European Council, which needs to approve it as is or propose amendments. The Council has not yet stated its position. Following this, the text will return to the European Parliament, which will be on break at the end of April before the elections. Therefore, it is likely that the next legislative term will shape the final form of this measure.
