The Change Imposed: 100,000 Trucks Will Update Their Tachographs Before 2025
The road transport sector in Europe is facing a significant change with the introduction of the new second-generation smart tachograph, a prominent measure within the Mobility Package approved in 2020 by the European Union. This device, which came into force in August this year, is mainly aimed at improving the accuracy of recording driving and rest times, as well as monitoring the location and activities of professional drivers.
A Key Component for the Regulation of the Mobility Package
The new second-generation smart tachograph has become a key element in ensuring compliance with the Mobility Package regulation. This package includes provisions related to the relocation of drivers in international transport, restrictions on cabotage operations and other measures aimed at promoting fairer competition between transport companies.
Critical Deadlines for Updating
From 21 August 2023, all new transport vehicles must be equipped with the new second-generation smart tachograph. However, there are some exceptions to address the initial shortage of these devices on the market. In addition, the European regulation provides for a transitional period for the replacement of old tachographs in existing vehicles.
Vehicles currently using analogue or non-smart digital tachographs (pre-June 2019) must install a second-generation smart tachograph by December 2024. For vehicles already fitted with a first-generation smart tachograph, they must replace it with a second-generation smart tachograph by August 2025.
Impact in Spain and Europe
In Spain, more than 140,000 public road transport vehicles, including trucks and buses, are affected by this regulation and must update their tachographs within the established deadlines, unless they are replaced by new vehicles. At European level, it is estimated that between 800,000 and 1,000,000 transport vehicles will require updating their existing tachographs in the next two years.
This demand has led to an unprecedented increase in production of the new second-generation smart tachographs. Manufacturers such as Continental are operating three shifts and producing more than 18,000 of these devices each week to meet the growing market need.
Business Opportunities on the Horizon
In Spain, of the 100.000 vehicles affected, it is estimated that around 20.000 could be excluded due to fleet renewal. However, this means that another 80.000 trucks will have to go through workshops and distributors before 2025 to comply with this update operation. This not only represents a business opportunity for tachograph manufacturers, but also for distributors and workshops, which will play a crucial role in the process of updating and complying with the regulation.
