Pilot Scheme EcoDuo

Based on the question of reducing the CO₂ footprint in the combined transport chain and the positive experiences of comparable projects in other EU countries, the VDA initiated the EcoDuo pilot scheme in cooperation with German and Spanish companies. This scheme aims on optimizing the first and last mile in combined transport.

Combined transport plays a decisive role in the transport and environmental policy goal of shifting more goods from road to rail. However, the first and last mile by road in combined transport represent a significant source of CO₂. Thus the aim is to make these parts more climate-friendly.

Since heavy commercial vehicles with alternative drives are not yet on the roads in large numbers, additional measures are recommended for a significant CO₂ reduction in the first and last mile of combined transport. In addition to the classic methods of vehicle optimization such as improved aerodynamics, low-resistance tires or weight reduction, goods may be transported more resource-efficiently in the first and last mile on the road with longer vehicle combinations.

The long truck concept has been approved in Germany since 2017, but it suffers certain limitations when loading onto trains due to the different trailer types. For combined transport however, it is absolutely necessary to use normal three-axle standard semi-trailers, since most of these are compatible with the railway's standard pocket wagons.

A short-term reduction in CO₂ emissions on the first and last mile is achieved in combined transport using an overly long vehicle combination consisting of a tractor unit and two standard semi-trailers. Connected to a unguided dolly (fifth wheel coupling for attaching a semi-trailer), the total length is 31.70 metres.

The total weight of this vehicle combination can be a maximum of 44 tons and is distributed over a total of ten axles. The axle loads are thus well below the maximum permissible loads defined in § 34 StVZO. Thanks to the two standard semi-trailers, loading onto the train is possible without restrictions and transshipment at the terminal is possible at any time without new technology.

The EcoDuo means significant relief for the environment and at the same time an increase in efficiency for the economy. The CO₂ emissions per ton-kilometer are reduced by 25%, as is the overall fuel consumption. In addition, the entire existing logistics infrastructure, e.g. in the loading and unloading area can be used as before.

This EcoDuo vehicle combination is already in use in some EU member states such as Spain, Sweden, Finland and Denmark. Experiences with the EcoDuo have been consistently positive in these countries.

As part of the pilot project, at least one of these EcoDuo vehicle combinations will be used in a one-year trial for Volkswagen AG between the MegaHub Lehrte (Lower Saxony) and the Volkswagen production facility in Wolfsburg (Lower Saxony).

For the pilot project - under the leadership of the Association of the Automotive Industry - the EcoDuo is provided by the vehicle manufacturer Schmitz Cargobull. The Volkswagen Group is providing the transport connection for this pilot project. Up to now, production containers between Wolfsburg and Spain have only been transported by truck. Now the global logistics service provider Sesé is driving the EcoDuo from the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg to the MegaHub Lehrte terminal near Hanover, 70km away, which is operated by the German handling company Schiene-Straße und Kombiverkehr. From there, the semi-trailers are transported 1,700km by rail to Spain in the Kombiverkehr KG network in an environmentally friendly way. At the transshipment station in Barcelona, the individual semi-trailers are coupled together again to form an EcoDuo combination and also driven by road through Sesé to the destination. TÜV Rheinland is supporting the pilot project scientifically and from a perspective of road traffic law.

For more information, see the process description below.

The EcoDuo vehicle combination no longer complies with all the provisions of the German Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO) after the individual vehicles involved have been put together - particularly with regard to the permissible overall length. Therefore an exemption permit must be granted in accordance with StVZO Section 70 for the use of public traffic space within Lower Saxony and StVO Section 29 for special vehicle combinations. Due to the special length of the vehicle, the permit in accordance with StVO Section 29 for the EcoDuo pilot project is subject to additional conditions. These include the provision of an escort vehicle for the selected route in Lower Saxony and for the local area in Lehrte. In addition, a co-driver is required, who is to be replaced by a digital co-driver. For the test, the EcoDuo vehicle combination will only be used on the selected route between the train terminal in Lehrte and the Volkswagen plant in Wolfsburg.

The pilot project will start in September 2024 and run for one year.

An essential part of the pilot test is the scientific support provided by TÜV Rheinland. As part of the project, the opportunities and risks of the EcoDuo vehicle combination will be evaluated on the basis of real operation. The savings potential on the road and in terminal operation will be validated and the results will be summarized in a final report.

The scientific study will also evaluate the impact of the requirements. The aim is to prove that the requirements for regular operation are neither ecologically nor economically justifiable and that traffic safety is nevertheless guaranteed.