Volkswagen to start EcoDuo-rail intermodal pilot between Germany and Spain

A new intermodal pilot project to move Volkswagen products between Germany and Spain will start in 2025. The initiative, led by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) entails the shift to rail for the longest part of the journey and EcoDuo trucks, vehicles carrying two semi-trailers, deployed for first and last-mile deliveries.

“Up to now, production containers between Wolfsburg and Spain have only been transported by truck”, a spokesperson from VDA told RailFreight.com. Throughout 2025, however, the goods will be moved via EcoDuo trucks between the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg to the MegaHub Lerthe, 70 kilometres away. There, Kombiverkehr will load them onto trains and send them to Barcelona where they will be transported with EcoDuo trucks to their final destinations.

Other than the partners mentioned above, the project includes Schmitz Cargobull, which will provide the EcoDuo truck, and Sesé, which will drive it for first and last-mile trips. Finally, TÜV Rheinland, “is supporting the pilot project scientifically and from a perspective of road traffic law”, the VDA spokesperson explained. “The project is planned to run for one year until the end of 2025 and the aim is to include the EcoDuo in the German Long Lorry Regulation as an additional long lorry type after the test phase”, they added.

No additional equipment needed

Using EcoDuo trucks instead of long trucks ensures interoperability with rail, whereas longer trucks would not. Moreover, if rail terminals are equipped for semi-trailer transshipment operations, no costly investments are required other than a dolly, the VDA spokesperson stated. Finally, using EcoDuo should also help with the issue of truck drivers shortages which affects many countries in Europe, as two semi-trailers can be moved by one driver rather than two.