Directive 2015/719 - Amendment of Council Directive 96/53/EC laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within the EC the maximum authorised dimensions in national and international traffic and the maximum authorised weights in international traffic - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 115/1

The need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, to improve road safety, to adapt the relevant legislation to technological developments and changing market needs and to facilitate intermodal transport operations, while ensuring undistorted competition and protecting the road infrastructure, must be emphasised.

Technological developments make it possible to attach retractable or foldable aerodynamic devices to the rear of vehicles. However, to do so would result in the maximum lengths permitted under Council Directive 96/53/EC (3) being exceeded. A derogation from the maximum lengths is therefore necessary. This Directive aims to allow the installation of such devices as soon as the necessary amendments to the technical requirements for type approval of the aerodynamic devices are transposed or applied and the Commission has adopted implementing acts laying down the operational rules for the use of such devices.

Improved aerodynamics of the cabs of motor vehicles would allow significant gains in respect of the energy performance of vehicles, possibly in conjunction with retractable or foldable aerodynamic devices attached to the rear of vehicles. However, under the current maximum lengths set by Directive 96/53/EC, such an improvement is not possible without reducing the vehicle load capacity and threatening the economic equilibrium of the road transport sector. For that reason, a derogation from the maximum lengths is also necessary. That derogation should not be used to increase the load capacity of the vehicle.

Pursuant to the framework of Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (4), aerodynamic devices exceeding 500 mm in length and motor vehicles equipped with cabs that improve their aerodynamic performance, where such vehicles exceed the limits set by Directive 96/53/EC, are to be type approved before being placed on the market.

Enabling vehicles to have a new cab profile would contribute to improving road safety by reducing blind spots in the driver's vision, including those under the windscreen, and ought to help to save the lives of many vulnerable road users such as pedestrians or cyclists. A new cab profile could also incorporate energy absorption structures in the event of a collision. Furthermore, the potential gain in the volume of the cab should improve the driver's safety and comfort. Once improved safety requirements for longer cabs have been developed, consideration can be given to whether it is appropriate to apply them to vehicles which do not benefit from the length extension.

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