VECTO is the official software tool developed by the European Commission that calculates the fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions of heavy vehicles through a standard simulation. Rather than putting every vehicle through a separate road test, it produces a comparable result for all combinations using certified component data.
How Does the Simulation Work?
On the tractor side, engine, transmission and axle data feed the simulation; on the trailer side, aerodynamic drag, unladen weight and tyre rolling resistance are the inputs. The software runs a virtual mission over standard duty cycles such as long haul and regional delivery, and reports consumption and emissions per kilometre. In this way, products from different manufacturers are measured against the same yardstick.
What It Means for the Trailer
- The contribution of aerodynamic devices is officially reflected in the calculation through certified data
- Lightweighting appears directly as lower consumption in the simulation
- Choosing low-rolling-resistance tyres becomes a measurable parameter
- Buyers can demand data produced by the standard method instead of a catalogue claim
For the trailer manufacturer, VECTO is a showcase that makes efficiency engineering visible: a well-designed aerodynamic package or a successful lightweighting effort now makes a difference not only in the field but also in the official document on the purchasing desk. Standard measurement is good engineering's strongest ally.