PURPOSE: to confirm the arrival date of safer and more aerodynamic truck cabins.
LEGISLATIVE ACT: Decision (EU) 2019/984 of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 96/53/EC as regards the time limit for the implementation of the special rules regarding maximum length for cabs delivering improved aerodynamic performance, energy efficiency and safety performance.
CONTENT: this Decision amends Council Directive 96/53/EC on the maximum length of heavy goods vehicles by bringing forward the date of authorisation of an extension of the cab to provide it with a more rounded front, without reducing the vehicle load capacity.
Before aerodynamic cabins may be placed on the market, they must meet the necessary approval conditions. The Commission shall take the necessary measures to provide for the type-approval of the vehicles or vehicle combinations concerned by 1 November 2019 at the latest. Trucks with more rounded cabins at the front should appear on European roads from 1 September 2020.
The curved cabins shall significantly reduce fuel consumption and improve safety.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 10.7.2019.