Brussels slows down, Wallonia tests
In the north of the country, a calendar is set: June 30, 2026, at the latest. This deadline takes into account the results of a pilot project, still in progress. Wallonia is also experiencing a similar test program which is due to end on the same date. “The preliminary studies have been extended and a first report is expected in September. Decisions will follow based on the results, but also on the Flemish experience“, indicates the office of Minister François Desquesnes (Engagés).
France will no longer be able to ban large Belgian trucks on its territory
On the capital side, on the other hand, longer and heavier vehicles (VLL) remain persona non grata. As a reminder, in 2019, the Brussels government vetoed the passage of these machines on the meager portion of the Ring which spans its territory. “No change of course since this decision“, assures Pieterjan Desmet, spokesperson for Minister Elke Van den Brandt (Groen). Let us point out that current affairs prevent any further action on this point for the moment. The ball is passed to the next executive.
The ecological question
In order to widen access for these heavy goods vehicles to Belgian roads, certain questions will still have to be resolved. Because these VLLs have as many supporters as opponents. The first use the name “ecocombi” to highlight the “ecological benefits” of these long trucks. “This is a maximization of the material. We use a machine to transport the equivalent of three conventional trucks. This logically reduces emissions“, summarizes Michaël Reul, secretary general of the Professional Union of Transport and Logistics (UPTR). Compared to Belgium, these super-trucks are used more in other countries such as the Netherlands, Finland or even Sweden With what effects for the planet? According to a study, their use would emit between 15 and 20% less CO₂ than using conventional trucks to transport the same load. 2022, the Dutch government has also experimented with 32 meter eco-combis. The environmental benefits would then increase to -27% carbon dioxide.
Their detractors prefer to call them “mega-trucks”, or even “Monster trucks”. The transport of goods by train or by water would face competition from this type of road freight. If this were to become widespread, a significant modal shift from rail to road would occur. This is a danger that we cannot yet quantify.”asserts Pierre Courbe, mobility specialist at Canopea, the federation of environmental associations. And to continue: “ Economic actors are pushing for this development for financial reasons which they disguise with environmental arguments.. For good reason, the tonnage transported is higher while the personnel mobilized remains the same.
Fear in Braine-l’Alleud: a trucker finds himself locked in his refrigerated trailer, firefighters rescue him
Dangers?
Another stumbling block: road safety and the impact on road infrastructure. Remember that these machines remain used for specific transports. There is therefore no question of driving them in the city center or on narrow arteries. However, for the moment, some motorway entrances and exits remain too short to accommodate this type of vehicle. Consequences: public authorities will have to put their hands in their pockets to adapt the network. “It will cost a fortune for a reduced CO₂ gain!“, indicates Pierre Courbe.
To this, will it be necessary to add maintenance work on roads damaged by the passage of these super-trucks? Negative, according to Michaël Reul. “This does not damage the roads any more since the load is distributed over a greater number of axles. It’s more a question of volume than weight.”
Arguments a thousand miles from convincing the adversaries. “These tests are carried out under very strict conditions. If tomorrow, these super trucks were to become widespread, the conditions would absolutely no longer be the same. It then seems obvious that the danger could increase because their ability to accelerate and decelerate n ‘is not the same as the rest of the traffic’explains the Canopea expert. The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) expresses similar fears. “These legal changes will result in a massive deployment with the potential to have very serious consequences for road safety. explain Graziella Jost, project director at the heart of an ETSC press release.
