EMS Cross-Border: let subsidiarity and innovation prevail!

Sep 16, 2013

Following the publication of a recent independent report on longer trucks ordered by the Policy Department of the European Parliament, the EMS Forum urges the Members of the European Parliament to support the cross-border trials with and use of EMS vehicles between those Member States that allow their use and trials in their own territory.

The EMS Forum, bringing together industry stakeholders promoting the use of European Modular Concept (EMS) vehicle combinations in the EU, believes that Member States are best placed to decide whether they want to benefit from EMS vehicles or not.

The report concludes that ‘empirical evidence is difficult to find with regards to many of the primary concerns regarding LHVs. As a general rule, where empirical evidence is available, it tends to show better outcomes than those predicted by desk studies, with lower modal shift observed and little evidence of any negative effects on road safety.’

Overall the study concludes that cross-border use with EMS vehicles would help at-source greening road transport and steering combined transport and further support an efficient EU transport network involving all modes of transport, including road.

Last but not least, the 2011 White Paper recognizes that road transport will continue to be the predominant mode in EU freight transport. Hindering transport innovation in road freight transport will not achieve a resource-efficient sustainable EU transport system.

The Organisations saying yes to EMS represent shippers, freight forwarders, transport operators and vehicle manufacturers that are convinced that the modular concept is the right response from the road sector in order to decouple transport from its negative impact on the environment and to improve transport and logistics efficiency. An overview of these supporting organizations and companies can be found at the EMS website: Following the publication of a recent independent report on longer trucks ordered by the Policy Department of the European Parliament, the EMS Forum urges the Members of the European Parliament to support the cross-border trials with and use of EMS vehicles between those Member States that allow their use and trials in their own territory. The EMS Forum, bringing together industry stakeholders promoting the use of European Modular Concept (EMS) vehicle combinations in the EU, believes that Member States are best placed to decide whether they want to benefit from EMS vehicles or not. The report concludes that ‘empirical evidence is difficult to find with regards to many of the primary concerns regarding LHVs. As a general rule, where empirical evidence is available, it tends to show better outcomes than those predicted by desk studies, with lower modal shift observed and little evidence of any negative effects on road safety.’ Overall the study concludes that cross-border use with EMS vehicles would help at-source greening road transport and steering combined transport and further support an efficient EU transport network involving all modes of transport, including road. Last but not least, the 2011 White Paper recognizes that road transport will continue to be the predominant mode in EU freight transport. Hindering transport innovation in road freight transport will not achieve a resource-efficient sustainable EU transport system. The Organisations saying yes to EMS represent shippers, freight forwarders, transport operators and vehicle manufacturers that are convinced that the modular concept is the right response from the road sector in order to decouple transport from its negative impact on the environment and to improve transport and logistics efficiency. An overview of these supporting organizations and companies can be found at the EMS website

Download the press release here

Study on The Impact of Megatrucks

CEPI is a member of the EMS forum