Drafting new emissions regulations is one thing. Actually enforcing them is quite another. That is precisely why the development of VECTO took years.
VECTO, which stands for Vehicle Energy Consumption Calculation Tool, is a simulation program developed by the European Commission. Using numerous parameters, it accurately calculates the fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions of heavy-duty vehicles.
Why was VECTO necessary?
Prior to 2019, there was no reliable method for measuring the actual emissions of trucks. Only the engine was tested, not the vehicle in its complete configuration. And that leads to distortions:
- A tractor-trailer with the same engine can have completely different emissions depending on the load: a trailer full of bricks consumes much more fuel than one filled with foam blocks.
- Heavy-duty vehicles are extremely diverse.
- Millions of combinations are possible: different gearboxes, various axles, single or dual wheels, different tires per axle, and a wide range of applications and operating environments.
In short: if you can’t measure emissions, it becomes nearly impossible to enforce regulations designed to reduce them.
How does VECTO work in practice?
VECTO uses a digital simulation that takes into account, among other things:
- vehicle type
- engine and transmission configuration
- tires and aerodynamics
- weight and usage scenarios
This results in an accurate calculation of the expected fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions for a specific truck configuration.
What does this mean for truck manufacturers and customers?
Currently, VECTO is primarily used by vehicle manufacturers (OEMs). They convert the VECTO results into a customer information package, which becomes part of the sales process at dealerships. This allows customers to:
- easily compare vehicles
- gain insight into the expected fuel consumption and emissions of their specific configuration
After purchase, the customer receives the complete VECTO report for their vehicle.
Benefits for Innovation in the Industry
For manufacturers, VECTO is a powerful tool. It enables “before” and “after” comparisons, allowing them to see exactly which technologies truly contribute to lower emissions. They can also work with suppliers—such as those of low-rolling-resistance tires—to develop and optimize solutions in a targeted manner.
