Benefits of European Truck Design

Here at Donau Trucks, we offer a large variety of European made trucks, because we believe that their reliability is unmatched. There are some key reasons why these vehicles perform better for businesses on the Old Continent.

Heavy-duty and freight trucks tend to be much bigger in the United States. Depending on regulations, truck designs vary on different continents, but while trucks in the EU tend to deliver smaller loads than their American counterparts, they have their own advantages and are considered to be more efficient, safer and generally, much more finely engineered.

Roads in Europe tend to be narrower, but that is why the trucks also tend to be smaller and have better maneuverability. Regulations and laws in the EU don’t allow for trucks to be built as large as the ones in the United States, which limits the storage space. This has led manufacturers to adapt, by placing the cabin of the European trucks right above the engine. Thanks to the different placement of the cabin, commercial vehicles are able to fit significantly more stock into a limited total length. Their smaller design also makes them more versatile. They are superior on smaller roads, but work just as well on long hauls, which means they can be deployed in more diverse ways. Their size also makes it a bit easier to park.

The placement of the cabin, above the engine, also allows for better visibility. Thanks to the position of the driver at the head of the truck, they not only have a better 180-degree view of their surroundings, but drivers have fewer blind spots while on the road. Better road awareness means fewer accidents on the roads.

Another thing that the European cab-over truck is known for is safety, as the driver is perched in a position way above most other vehicles. The cabin sits over most collision vehicles, which protects them better from accidents.  In fact, Volvo and Mercedes trucks are now engineered to collapse intelligently on impact. Some models are even constructed so that the engine detaches from the under the cabin, when there is a strong collision. This protects not only the driver of the truck, but the other vehicles involved in the crash as well.

Possibly the biggest advantage of current European models is their greater efficiency. The trucks used in the Old Continent have become the new standard for productivity and efficiency. While semi-trucks in the USA average a fuel consumption rate of 33l per 100km, EU artic trucks average around 37l per 100km. A big reason for the lower consumption is certainly their size, but it’s also because of Europe’s focus on using biodegradable and other biofuels to decrease pollution. The difference in the sizes of these trucks certainly makes a difference in their use of fuel, which in turn makes them cheaper to operate on a daily basis.

Sources: - Truck Stops Routing ; A1 Performance