--- title: A Step on the Road to Sustainable Road Transport description: A Step on the Road to Sustainable Road Transport- on 1 December 2023, a milestone will be achieved in the Swedish transport sector as the Swedish Transport Administration opens up 4,500 km of the Swedish road network for truck combinations up to 34.5 metres, what we call High Capacity Transport (HCT). image: https://blog.vbg.eu/hubfs/VBG/VBG_Images/VBG_blogposts/VBG_2021_BLOGG/header_blogg_HCT_volovs_bild_.png --- [![VBG logo](https://blog.vbg.eu/hubfs/Assets/img/vbg-logo.svg)](http://www.vbg.eu/en/) - Solutions ## Solutions [![](http://www.vbg.eu/imagevault/publishedmedia/u7x3adb8a5z0vhk13on2/L-sningar-helhet.svg) Solutions with an integrated approach](http://www.vbg.eu/en/Solutions/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/imagevault/publishedmedia/2139yxibtv33ljh14w2u/P-byggare-1.svg) Sustainable transport](http://www.vbg.eu/en/Solutions/sustainable-transport/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/imagevault/publishedmedia/apvj8axm8whp5kfovoi7/P-byggare.svg) For bodybuilders](http://www.vbg.eu/en/Solutions/for-bodybuilders/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/imagevault/publishedmedia/5u4dpqvokj0eeu5m6357/F-rare.svg) For drivers](http://www.vbg.eu/en/Solutions/for-drivers/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/imagevault/publishedmedia/fvh0h915kt30gka9b93l/Kundber-ttelser.svg) Customer stories](http://www.vbg.eu/en/Solutions/success-stories/) - 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- *So it has finally become a reality: on 1 December 2023, a milestone will be achieved in the Swedish transport sector as the Swedish Transport Administration opens up 4,500 km of the Swedish road network for truck combinations up to 34.5 metres, what we call High Capacity Transport (HCT). This decision not only means the opening of roads, but is also likely to open up new horizons for transport and logistics in our country. But what’s the next step?* ## Roads are now open for longer combinations Allowing longer vehicles on the road is not a new idea. Since 2009, Sweden has worked at the forefront to explore possibilities for more efficient and sustainable transport systems. From [early discussions](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/longer-trucks) to the decision in August 2022 that Sweden would allow longer vehicles from 2023, the journey has been long and worth reflecting on. By opening 4,500 km of road network for HCT, the transport industry is afforded a world of opportunities. The potential for transporting larger quantities of goods with fewer resources and less environmental impact cannot be underestimated. But to achieve the full effect of HCT, more roads need to be opened, both in the state road network and, above all, in the municipal road network. This is an important issue for the [Swedish Transport Administration](https://www.transportstyrelsen.se/TSFS/TSFS%202023_42.pdf) and the municipalities to maintain momentum in the coming years. [The road opening](https://bransch.trafikverket.se/contentassets/c7bca269d05d45bc8608cf58ec920a89/utpekat-vagnat-tillganglighetsanpassad.pdf)on 1 December is just the beginning of an exciting future. We can expect to see an increase in innovation in the logistics sector, where technology and infrastructure will work together to shape an efficient and sustainable future for transportation. ## How can I find out if my coupling can be used in a 34.5-metre-long combination? #### Some of the technical requirements that must be met in order for truck combinations to be used for 34.5 metres include: - At least three axles on tractor vehicles (2 drive axles if the combined weight exceeds 64 tonnes) - At least two axles on each trailer in the combination - Stability system and electronic braking system with automatic brake adjustment - Indirect view of the right-hand side of the combination - Steerable final axle on first semi-trailer or link trailer (up to 40km/h) - Liftable first axle on the first semi-trailer with at least three axles. The axle must be adjustable from the driver’s seat while driving - ‘Long Road Train’ signs on the front and rear To easily and conveniently check whether your coupling equipment can be used for 34.5-metre-long combinations, use the[VBG Performance Calculator.](https://www.vbg.eu/en/perfcalculator)   ## Ready for 34.5 metres? [![Calculate](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2640104/5c1728cd-cfbc-4049-bd8b-d9b6994d713f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2640104/5c1728cd-cfbc-4049-bd8b-d9b6994d713f) Topics - [Transportation industry](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/tag/transportation-industry) [![Tobias Johansson](https://blog.vbg.eu/hs-fs/hubfs/Author%20Portrait/Authors_BW_Tobias_Johansson.png?width=200&name=Authors_BW_Tobias_Johansson.png)](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/author/tobias-johansson) #### [Tobias Johansson](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/author/tobias-johansson) Tobias är VP R&D och arbetar med framtida produktutveckling samtidigt som han har ansvarar för att utreda och hålla sig ajour med lagstiftning och standarder som berör hela VBG Truck Equipments produktsortiment. Han har varit verksam inom fordonsindustrin över 20 år, både som ingenjör och i företagsledning. Tobias är född och uppvuxen på den svenska västkusten och brinner för friluftsliv hela året om. På havet, i skogen och på fjället. Tobias is the Vice President R&D at VBG Group Truck Equipment with a focus on future products, regulations and standards for VBG Truck Equipment. He has been in the automotive business for over 20 years, both as an engineer and in company management. He is born and raised on an island in the archipelago of the Swedish West coast and has a great interest in the outdoor life at sea, in the forest, and in the mountains. Tobias er Vice President R&D og fokuserer på fremtidige produktudviklingsprojekter, lovgivning og standarder, der påvirker produkter inden for VBG Truck Equipment. Han har været aktiv i bilindustrien i over 20 år, både som ingeniør og ledelse. Tobias er født og opvokset på den svenske vestkyst og er lidenskabelig for friluftsliv hele året rundt. På havet, i skoven og på bjerget. ### Recent posts - [VBG Strengthens Capacity with New Testing Facility](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/vbg-strengthens-capacity-with-new-testing-facility) - [How do I perform a function check?](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/how-do-i-perform-a-function-check) - [How Dagab uses VBG Driver Assist](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/how-dagab-uses-vbg-driver-assist) - [How to protect your investment and extend the system’s lifespan](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/how-to-protect-your-investment-and-extend-the-systems-lifespan) - [What technical requirements apply to 34.5 meter combinations?](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/what-technical-requirements-apply-to-34.5-meter-combinations) - [View all](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/all) ### Topics - [Transportation industry (73)](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/tag/transportation-industry) - [Ownership (48)](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/tag/ownership) - [Transport industry (40)](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/tag/transport-industry) - [Use (31)](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/tag/use) - [Engineering (5)](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/tag/engineering) ### Authors - [Anders Erkén (2)](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/author/anders-erkén) - [Emil Vikingsson (3)](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/author/emil-vikingsson) - [Emilia Angséus (1)](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/author/emilia-angséus) - [Eric Carlebom (5)](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/author/eric-carlebom) - [Fredrik Gustavsson (1)](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/author/fredrik-gustavsson) ## Discuss this post Leave a comment ## Recommended reading ![VBG Strengthens Capacity with New Testing Facility](https://blog.vbg.eu/hubfs/HEADER.png) ~ 6 min #### VBG Strengthens Capacity with New Testing Facility VBG Strengthens Capacity with New Testing Facility VBG continues to invest in the future. With a new test rig designed for extra-long test specimens, the ... [![Emilia Angséus](https://blog.vbg.eu/hs-fs/hubfs/blogemilia.png?width=26&name=blogemilia.png) Emilia Angséus 25 Jun 2026](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/vbg-strengthens-capacity-with-new-testing-facility) ![How do I perform a function check?](https://blog.vbg.eu/hubfs/VBG_Norway_-6804-1.png) > 4 min #### How do I perform a function check? Summer and the vacation we all look forward to are just around the corner. No matter how you plan to spend your time off, it’s reassuring to know that your ... [![Emil Vikingsson](https://blog.vbg.eu/hs-fs/hubfs/VBG/VBG_Author_Portrait/Emil%20Vikingsson%20no%20bkg%20bw.png?width=26&name=Emil%20Vikingsson%20no%20bkg%20bw.png) Emil Vikingsson 28 May 2026](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/how-do-i-perform-a-function-check) ![How Dagab uses VBG Driver Assist](https://blog.vbg.eu/hubfs/Dagabekipage_w14%202026.png) ~ 5 min #### How Dagab uses VBG Driver Assist In a workflow where every minute counts, Dagab has chosen VBG Driver Assist to make trailer coupling more consistent and safer. Here, we explain why they chose ... 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