‘Project yDrive’ enlists the help of five different companies, one of which, startup firm Econogy BV of Dronten, is leading the design and development of the trailer axle system itself.

The demonstration vehicle achieved 16 miles per gallon fuel efficiency and a 170% improvement in freight efficiency over the 2009 ‘SuperTruck I’ vehicle.

Over the next three and a half years, the project’s research partners will deliver nine different vehicles for testing on the road, carrying over 40 tonnes across distances of up to 750 kilometres.

The intention is to define a single European-wide approach to assessing the environmental impacts of zero-emission vehicles and batteries - making it possible to directly compare different products and determine which are more environmentally friendly.

Following the close of the nine-year trial and consultation into the introduction of LSTs, the DoT has concluded that they should be rolled-out beginning in 2022.