The EU directive 2015/719 – new flexibilities for heavy duty trucks
EFS presented the results of it’s expert analysis how truck manufacturers may benefit market wise and cost wise from new flexibilities offered by EU directive 2015/719 at Euroforum Conference “Trends in the commercial vehicle industry”, April 18-19th 2016 in Munich
The EU directive 2015/719, issued April 29th 2015, proposes to increase maximum dimensions and maximum gross vehicle weights for heavy duty trucks in order to improve
- fuel efficiency by optimization of aerodynamics, usage of energy storages, implementation of waste heat recovery
- direct and indirect vision
- passive safety
- cab comfort
It is not intended by the directive to use extended dimensions to increase payload or load volume except to enable the accommodation of standardized 45ft containers which would consume a 12-15cm increase of length.
Major findings of EFS expert analysis
- It is not needed to redesign the cab completely in order to fulfil the EU directives regarding active and passive safety
- The decision on how far a truck manufacturer may benefit form EU directions flexibilities will be based on factors such as
- contribution to product positioning
The most perceptible differentiation will be realized by innovative cab interior concepts. In order to benefit fully from aerodynamic optimization potentials, new collaboration models between truck manufacturers and body builders have to be discussed - realization effort
The trade of discussion between product improvement and realization effort will be focussed on funding rather than material cost
For global manufacturers additional localization funding has to be evaluated from a global product platform and production network point of view
- contribution to product positioning
If you a curious about the impact of alternate product concepts on material cost, degree of carry over and tooling cost please followthis link to the simulation results
