--- title: What makes HCT sustainable for our future and environment? description: What climate targets are there and how will they go together with increased freight transport in the future? There are multiple aspects to this and one solution points to a clear environmental benefit through the utilisation of high-capacity vehicles, i.e. high capacity transport (HCT). image: https://blog.vbg.eu/hubfs/forest-1868136_1280_blogg2020_w46%20.jpg --- [![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/) - Products ## Products [![](http://www.vbg.eu/globalassets/menybilder/vbg-795vr-3-pa_l-l.png?width=400&format=webp&quality=85&hmac=a0ce582ad2faa38431d9fbb5cf3695d20d9d09ccd8f60e4e4b4a8a8f7bbb83dd&v=1632122430) Couplings](http://www.vbg.eu/en/products/couplings/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/globalassets/menybilder/menu-driver-assist.jpg?width=400&format=webp&quality=85&hmac=7022981b6fd020dd858e676d60bcf4659982dcce51bcba54721cd579f2aea038&v=1652191373) VBG Driver Assist](http://www.vbg.eu/en/products/vbg-driver-assist/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/globalassets/menybilder/dragbalkmeny2.jpg?width=400&format=webp&quality=85&hmac=6d2309b5068c4b48af0d00f2b092c4bc095f427241f0e8baeb3630a1f25ca526&v=1526977473) Drawbeam system](http://www.vbg.eu/en/products/drawbeam-system/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/globalassets/menybilder/u-skydd_produktvaljare.png?width=400&format=webp&quality=85&hmac=485a2e3acf5d96935f554423addfedd12b63a67d4075fb734df07a1e1ab9af5b&v=1662447913) Underrun protection](http://www.vbg.eu/en/products/underrun-protection/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/globalassets/menybilder/dragstangmeny2.jpg?width=400&format=webp&quality=85&hmac=223385284bb8115d3b7bc62217b21467da6647d53ebe60765f64279ea2b91d50&v=1527153014) Drawbars](http://www.vbg.eu/en/products/drawbars/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/globalassets/dragogla/dragoglamenu.jpg?width=400&format=webp&quality=85&hmac=1d7d41bf43e644a779e6470fe3ff0c35486fa56b2870378de7148dc8e06f9e5a&v=1525696242) Drawbar eyes](http://www.vbg.eu/en/products/drawbar-eyes/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/globalassets/menybilder/tillbehormeny2.jpg?width=400&format=webp&quality=85&hmac=5660dac10f64fa5ef7a7ff3974161791a7d65b3b8ca86e9c161943e9ed4a89b9&v=1526997631) Other assortment](http://www.vbg.eu/en/products/other-assortment/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/imgs/imagevault/publishedmedia/ft5bo6n69m9whjj5qm6y/vbg-menu-system.jpg?width=400&format=webp&quality=85&hmac=677796ce0d04b3cb3bc90c9de7b6183a62373bdec05cce508bacbd30c0459d8f) See the whole system](http://www.vbg.eu/en/product-overview/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/globalassets/menybilder/spare-parts-menu-2.jpg?width=400&format=webp&quality=85&hmac=262457083c8fad284f5c16fa023e153bee90029557d8ece62b5841e2b97b4ef4&v=1646642366) Spare parts](http://www.vbg.eu/en/products/spare-parts/) ![](http://www.vbg.eu/globalassets/menybilder/spare-parts-menu-2.jpg?width=400&format=webp&quality=85&hmac=262457083c8fad284f5c16fa023e153bee90029557d8ece62b5841e2b97b4ef4&v=1646642366) Spare parts [Spare parts](http://www.vbg.eu/en/products/spare-parts/) - Support ## Support [![](http://www.vbg.eu/imagevault/publishedmedia/2yv841kxf1zw7gqhbsbn/Service.svg) Support](http://www.vbg.eu/en/support/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/imagevault/publishedmedia/dsyjjfa4bgxm4397imm9/Returer.svg) Returns and Complaints](http://www.vbg.eu/en/support/returns-and-complaints/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/imagevault/publishedmedia/dy5z3mo5pwljlke283ks/Riktlinjer.svg) Maintenance guidelines](http://www.vbg.eu/en/support/maintenance-guidelines/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/imagevault/publishedmedia/9mcef176c2807rmrrfnk/Kvalite.svg) Quality and Environment](http://www.vbg.eu/en/support/quality-and-environment/) [![](http://www.vbg.eu/imagevault/publishedmedia/fhvf37ms8x5kw19s2b6j/Vanliga-fragor.svg) FAQ](http://www.vbg.eu/en/faq/) - [Calculator](http://www.vbg.eu/en/calculator/) ## Calculator - [Blog](https://blog.vbg.eu/en) ## Blog [Contact us](http://www.vbg.eu/en/contact-us/) - [Partner Login](http://www.vbg.eu/en/extranat/) - Select your language Published on 12 Nov 2020 by [Tobias Johansson](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/author/tobias-johansson) ~ 5 min # What makes HCT sustainable for our future and environment? [Back](https://blog.vbg.eu/en) Share the article - - W*hat climate targets are there and how will they go together with increased freight transport in the future? There are, of course, multiple aspects to this and one solution points to a clear environmental benefit through the utilisation of high-capacity vehicles, i.e. High Capacity Transport (HCT).* ## How does the climate targets look like? Supported by the Paris Agreement, Europe is aiming, through The European Green Deal1, to reduce CO2 emissions by 50-55% from today’s level by 2030, with the long-term goal of achieving zero emissions by 2050. In parallel, the researchers2 estimate that freight transport will increase by 300% from today’s level over the same time period. Since today’s primary modes of freight transport contribute to CO2 emissions, the equation is obviously difficult balance, at least if freight transport continues as it does today. One political ambition has been to drive development towards zero-emission road transport through electrification, new types of fuels, increasing intermodal transport and smart transport systems. The development of rail and sea transport is also being steered towards zero emissions, and we are seeing that changes are underway in other areas, too. But the changes are moving sluggishly and things are going too slowly to reach the 2030 and 2050 climate targets, which research indicates are absolutely crucial to saving our planet. So while we are developing technologies that will enable zero-emission transport, we must do the best we can with what we know and have at our disposal. ## HCT is a solution HCT is a massive gain for road transport in terms of CO2 reduction – this is a fact. VBG has previously written about the HCT projects we participate in which have shown that, with current vehicle technology, HCT already helps to reduce CO2 by up to ~30%. This is achieved due to the fact that 6 standard rigs can be replaced with 3 HCT rigs, such as DUO-trailer 3. HCT enables more efficient use of our vehicles on the road and reduces CO2 emissions by ~30% per freight tonne and kilometre. Another challenge from a different perspective is the estimated 300% increase in freight transport. How will all this freight get to recipients in the future? Can we accept that there is no milk on the refrigerator shelves when we go shopping because there were not enough trucks or, more crucially, not enough drivers able to drive the vehicles? HCT enables us to use every driving hour more efficiently since the trucks carry goods every time they are driven. > There is already a major shortage of drivers in the transport industry – how will we cope with a 300% increase in freight transport? The above challenges cannot be solved by HCT alone; the answer lies in the interaction between different modes of transport and future technology development. But HCT is definitely a significant piece of the puzzle in this complicated equation and a relatively simple thing to start with, since the technology already exists. HCT rigs can already be seen on Swedish roads as they have been operated in an experimental capacity since 2006 in order to collect information and data. HCT rigs have been used in various areas such as freight transport and timber transport. We have plenty of knowledge today about what is required for this to function optimally. HCT is sustainable for our future and for the environment. 1. [https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal\_en](https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/european-green-deal_en) 2. [https://sciencebasedtargets.org/](https://sciencebasedtargets.org/) 3. [https://duo2.nu/](https://duo2.nu/), https://aeroflex-project.eu/ Read our “5 top tips to become sustainable”. [![Read our tips on how to make your business more sustainable](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2640104/f65bf5fc-8b99-4dda-8754-13f6152c07c5.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2640104/f65bf5fc-8b99-4dda-8754-13f6152c07c5) Topics - [Transportation industry](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/tag/transportation-industry) - [Ownership](https://blog.vbg.eu/en/tag/ownership) [![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. 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