News

Drivers and operators of 7.5-tonners - and large vans - are largely unaware of a legal change that will limit many of these vehicles to 85kph (56mph) on all roads from January 1. The law applies to Euro 3 vans and trucks with GVW above 3.5 tonnes and below 7.5 tonnes registered between October 2001 and December 31, 2004. From January 1, 2008, the same rule will apply to all those vehicles registered after January 1, 2005, used in the UK or abroad. The move to bring 7.5-tonners into line with other  lorries has already been implemented on the Continent.

Unlike heavier vehicles, however, 7.5-tonners will still be allowed in the outside lane of motorways - an anomaly which has been widely criticised. UK negotiators argued for a three-year derogation for the UK, which is why the rules are coming in untidily. The Euro 3 changeover point was chosen because that is the point at which European truck makers adopted electronic fuel injection, making it easier to limit trucks by speed.

All 7.5-tonners have limiters now - Daf's LF is governed at 120kph, for example, a speed which is outside the geared speed of the truck. Daf's Euro 4s will have a default axle ratio - the one fitted where no option is specified - higher than that used at Euro 3. The Cummins-built Paccar engine has more torque at low revs than the Euro 3 unit it replaces. TLS, the rental firm, says that customer awareness of these changes is poor. Carl D'Ammassa, director of asset management, predicts that  customers will want to hire less limited post-January 1 2005 trucks and vans in the medium term.