Sesé moves forward with the implementation of Duotrailers in Germany
- Matus Cigan
- Oct 5
- 2 min read
Sesé has presented today, in Lehrte, the conclusions of the first duotrailer tests conducted in Germany as part of a consortium of leading companies in the country, including VDA, Schmitz Cargobull, Volkswagen Group Logistics, Kombiverkehr, and TÜV Rheinland.
During the presentation, attended by regional institutional representatives such as Lower Saxony’s Minister of Transport, Grant Hendrik Tonne, the participating companies demonstrated how this type of vehicle, known in Germany as EcoDuo and consisting of a vehicle with two standard-size containers., can simultaneously enhance operational efficiency, road safety, and environmental protection.
The tests were conducted on a fixed route between Wolfsburg and Lehrte. The same containers were then loaded onto a train bound for Barcelona without any additional modifications, where a new EcoDuo collected them to transport them to their final destinations in Spain. During the year-long pilot project, these trucks—weighing up to 44 tons, 28 tons below the maximum allowed in Spain—demonstrated improved logistics efficiency and a reduction in CO₂ emissions of more than 25% compared to the two conventional trucks that would otherwise be required to transport the same load.
At the same time, Sesé, together with its partners in Germany, has shown that duotrailers can not only maintain but also enhance road safety on high-capacity roads, while contributing to a reduction in traffic congestion.
After presenting these positive results, the consortium of which Sesé is a member hopes that the use of duotrailers can be implemented in regular operations in Germany. That would require a change in German traffic regulations regarding size and weight restrictions for vehicles on certain types of roads.
During the presentation, Sergio Treviño, CEO of Sesé, stated: “We believe that duotrailers are a key tool for the transformation of the supply chain of the future, as is already being demonstrated by their widespread acceptance in Spain. If we want to maintain and even increase Europe’s competitiveness, it is essential that we adopt new innovations that increase efficiency, and duotrailers have proven to be an efficient, safe, and sustainable solution.”
Pragmatic Innovation to Transform the Supply Chain of the Future
Spain, led by the pioneering drive and leadership of Sesé, has become the first country in Southern Europe to legalize the use of duotrailers on its roads. After a seven-year testing process, from conceptualization and the first unloaded tests in 2017, by the summer of 2025, the Ministry of Transport and the DGT removed the requirement for companies to obtain a special permit to operate duotrailers.
The solution has proven highly successful in Spain, as it not only increases efficiency and reduces logistics costs, but also achieves a 30% reduction in CO₂ emissions. This figure can rise to 90% by using alternative energy sources, such as renewable fuels. Through this innovation, Sesé is advancing one of the main objectives of today’s logistics sector: becoming more sustainable while simultaneously increasing competitiveness.
The benefits of this innovation have driven rapid adoption by companies. In fact, over the past two years, the number of duotrailers on Spanish roads has nearly doubled, from 600 to 1,100.
Image source: gruposese.com
