Volvo Backs Longer, Heavier Trucks

BOSTON — Volvo Trucks North America said the United States should adopt a policy of allowing longer, heavier trucks on the nation’s highways as a way to increase driver productivity and to conserve fuel.

Scott Kress, senior vice president of sales and marketing at Volvo Trucks North America said Friday that to address the problems of fuel efficiency, freight productivity and congestion, “one strategy that should be well understood and considered is more productive trucks.”

Kress said motor carriers should have the “ability to use longer combination vehicles throughout the Interstate Highway System.”

Kress, who spoke at a seminar here on climate change policy, said that LCVs would not harm highway safety. “Volvo will not compromise its role as the industry leader in highway safety.”

Bill Graves, president of American Trucking Associations, who also spoke at the seminar, said that while ATA supports the move for LCVs, “I don’t expect this to embraced … overnight.”

Graves said he hoped that upcoming renewal of federal highway legislation would include a pilot project for heavier trucks on truck-only lanes.