Operator, DB Schenker of Essen, Germany, vehicle manufacturer, MAN Truck & Bus SE of Munich and research body, Hochschule Fresenius – University of Applied Sciences of Idstein (near Frankfurt) have completed successfully what this consortium of companies claims to be the world's first field test with truck platoons (electronically linked trucks or truck trailer combinations) in real logistics operations.

The project partners explained the trial, which was part of a research project with funding of EUR1.86m from  the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI), involved professional drivers driving two electronically linked vehicles on the Autobahn 9 between the Nuremberg and Munich branches of the logistics company, DB Schenker,  over seven months. The trucks (rigid trucks with drawbars) covered some 35,000 test kilometres, while driving at 15 to 21 meters, between the vehicles.  The trial of the electronically linked trucks provided evidence to support the technology is safe, technically reliable and easily integrated within a routine logistics route. Furthermore, it showed fuel savings of between three and four per cent.