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One in eight trucks could be taken off Europe's roads if Kögel's Big-MAXX semi-trailer is accepted by EU member states. Germany is two years into a six-year trial, which sees 300 of these longer trailers in operation with 50 hauliers. Last week, the Czech Republic announced that it would allow an unlimited number of permits for its domestic hauliers to operate them, and Kögel is optimistic that other countries are about to follow suit. "There is absolutely no reason why this concept can't be rolled  out across Europe, including the UK," says a Kögel spokesman.

The Big-MAXX is not rocket science, it is simply a regular semi-trailer, but 130cm longer than the norm. The rear overhang is 100cm greater than usual, while the wheelbase has been extended by 30cm. This increases the overall length of the truck from 16.5m to 17.8m. In terms of capacity, it results in an extra 8% to 10%, increasing the number of Euro-pallets carried from 33 to 36. Overall GVW remains at 40 tonnes. Of the 300 trailers on Germany's roads, the vast majority are curtainsiders. However, Kögel has identified a number of other potential markets, including flatbeds, box vans and swap-bodies.

The Big-MAXX also has huge potential as a reefer, especially since temperature-controlled transport pressure group Transfrigoroute has been campaigning for larger refrigerated trailers on safety grounds for years. It says cold air is unable to circulate around pallets in a regular trailer, leading to hot-spots.  The first Big Cool-MAXX was given to the Transfrigoroute president to trial.

Although the Big-MAXX is very much the brainchild of Kögel (which has been pushing for this concept while its competitors go down the 25.25m route), there is no patent and any other trailer maker is free to build it. Kögel charges an additional €5,000 for the trailer, and believes that operators can recoup this extra money in well under a year.