22.11.2024
Eight trucks analyzed by Euro NCAP: Volvo FH Aero and FM, Renault T, Scania R-series and G Series, DAF XF, Man TGX and Mercedes-Benz Actros L.
Maximum score, five stars, for Volvo, four stars for Renault and Scania, three stars for Daf, Man, Mercedes-Benz and Scania.
Euro NCAP has announced the results of the new TRUCK SAFE evaluation programme, in fact, it is the first time ever that heavy commercial vehicles have undergone safety tests.
As part of its mission to achieve Vision Zero (eliminate all fatalities and serious injuries from road accidents), Euro NCAP has turned its attention to the testing and safety performance of the heavy commercial vehicle category.
The organization has been contributing to raising safety standards for almost 30 years through the evaluation and classification of the active and passive safety performance of cars. In 2020, Euro NCAP launched a similar program for light commercial vehicles.
In addition to awarding each vehicle a rating of up to five stars, Euro NCAP has introduced an additional “CitySafe” accreditation, which is awarded to trucks equipped with technologies or good design capable of preventing accidents which generally occur in cities or in urban environments, such as the automated emergency braking function if invisible bicycles are detected next to vehicles turning at an intersection.
Accidents involving heavy commercial vehicles have the highest severity rate on the European road network due to factors such as weight and size. Although trucks represent less than 3% of the fleet circulating in Europe, they are responsible for 15% of fatal accidents. Furthermore, only 11% of victims of accidents involving heavy commercial vehicles are the occupants of the vehicle themselves. The remaining 89% are passengers in cars and vans, as well as vulnerable road users.
Heavy commercial vehicles represent a major economic force and play an essential role in the distribution of 95% of goods on the European continent. As a result, it is vital to support the sector by ensuring that trucks are safe and do not pose a threat to other road users.
“TRUCK SAFE” is the first of Euro NCAP’s testing protocols to adopt a new framework that measures vehicle safety throughout the life cycle of an accident. For this particular assessment of long-distance heavy commercial vehicles, the “Stages of Safety” assessment methodology focuses on three phases and the timing of a typical accident episode: the hours and minutes preceding the accident, with particular attention to safe driving, the intervention of active safety systems before the accident or the prevention of the accident and the “golden hour” following the accident.
The Volvo FH Aero has excellent visibility and achieves a good score also thanks to the presence of good driving assistance systems. It is also good in terms of accident prevention, it is equipped with an automated braking system to protect cyclists when trucks turn. The Volvo FH achieves a five-star rating and CitySafe recognition. Identical score also for the Volvo FM variant characterized by a lower cab to improve visibility.
The Renault Trucks T achieves a four-star rating due to its high-quality advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). The vehicle benefits from a cyclist turning function which, together with more limited direct visibility, makes it makes it suitable for motorways, rather than city ones.
The Scania G-series has good visibility in the low cab version. The vehicle has almost all the driving assistance systems required by Euro NCAP, but many are available as options at an additional cost. The performance in terms of accident prevention is good. The AEB VRU, combined with good visibility, earns it four stars and CitySafe recognition. The R-series version loses one star (three) precisely due to lower visibility.
The DAF XF achieves class-leading safe driving performance with its flat-floor cab suitable for long-distance transport. Visibility performance is among the best in the class, with very large windows, low beltlines and CMS replacing all mirrors. It features an advanced assisted braking system that works quite well in frontal collisions with vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. Achieves three-star rating and CitySafe award.
The MAN TGX offers a solid three-star safety performance, well balanced between safe driving and accident prevention. Direct visibility performance is poor, but an excellent Camera Monitoring System (CMS) is available as an option, providing better visibility for the driver.
Mercedes-Benz in the Actros L version offers a solid safety performance, equal to three stars. It is the tallest truck tested in this sector, but thanks to the presence of the CMS it manages to obtain a good score in safe driving. It offers an excellent range of accident prevention technologies.
Such tests show that there is a big difference between the relative safety of current truck models. It is worth noting that the differences found are due to the manufacturers’ current security strategies.
“The results demonstrate that the safety features available on the market are numerous and not necessarily limited to the most expensive models – said Matthew Avery, Director of Strategic Development, Euro NCAP. Among these, Renault is positioned at the least expensive end of the market. Volvo, then, it produced a truck that achieved excellent results and represents a real improvement for safety on European roads. The Swedish company has technologies capable of solving the majority of accidents responsible for the approximately 3,000 deaths recorded every year on European roads. ”.
“The launch of our TRUCK SAFE assessment program is a momentous turning point for vehicle safety and marks the beginning of our commitment to purchasing fleets and companies – said Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General of Euro NCAP. This is an essential step towards achieving Vision Zero. Our first set of TRUCK SAFE testing protocols does an excellent job of assessing capabilities and identifying good performers. By 2030, passive safety will be integrated (protection from accidents), to further overcome the problem of accidents between trucks and cars”.
Testing protocols are currently focused on active safety, with systems for visibility and accident prevention. Consistent with the approach applied to other vehicle classes, passive safety (i.e. crash protection tests) will become part of the evaluation protocol for heavy commercial vehicles from 2030.
All testing protocols are updated on a three-year cycle and are adapted from the Euro NCAP evaluation and regulatory programmes. The tests are carried out at various specialized and accredited centers throughout Europe.