Schmitz Cargobull's EcoDuo concept – flexible trailer combination for efficient, climate-friendly transport

With its new EcoDuo concept, Schmitz Cargobull is launching a new transport concept for the European market. As well as being able to transport more freight, it does not put any extra strain on current infrastructure, is able to reduce CO 2 emissions, is in line with current commercial transport standards and is ideal for point- to-point transport outside of urban areas.

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In the EcoDuo combination, two standard curtainsider semi-trailers – connected via a dolly – are coupled to a tractor unit. The total tractor-trailer weight of the tractor and the first trailer remains unchanged at 40 tonnes; the weight of the second trailer can vary, though it can reach 36 tonnes to comply with current Scandinavian regulations. This trailer combination is currently being tested in Spain with a tractor-trailer weight of 40 tonnes for the first trailer and 30 tonnes for the second. “At the moment, this trailer combination is only valid in Scandinavia. Over the long term, however, we believe that the EcoDuo will be seen as an ecologically and economically efficient transport solution for the whole of Europe,” explains Andreas Schmitz, Chairman of the Board of Schmitz Cargobull AG.

This flexible concept – based primarily on standard trailers – has a number of plus points. In conventional long HGV concepts, the length of the load carriers used can differ, meaning they cannot be combined for flexible use, requiring fleets to invest additional money. Since this combination is not permitted in every country and every country has a different legislation, complete cross-border transport jobs are more difficult. In contrast, the EcoDuo trailer combination can easily be split between two tractor units at border points or in specific areas.