Introduction
In 2025, road-freight operators and haulage logistics companies face rising costs, environmental pressure, driver shortages and infrastructure constraints. One promising innovation to address these challenges is freight platooning—where heavy trucks travel in close convoy using vehicle-to-vehicle communication and semi-automated systems. For B2B logistics players, successful implementation of platooning offers fuel savings, better asset utilisation and stronger sustainability credentials. However, widescale deployment still faces significant regulatory and operational barriers. In this article we’ll unpack what freight platooning is, review its benefits, examine regulatory challenges, look at operational pilot projects, and outline strategic implications for forwarders and carriers.
What is Freight Platooning on Highways?
Freight (or truck) platooning refers to the coordinated convoy of two or more heavy trucks travelling in close formation on highways. The lead vehicle is driven by a human driver (or semi-automated system), and trailing trucks maintain very short inter-vehicle gaps through connected vehicle technology (V2V), advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), radar/LIDAR, and often some level of automation.
Key features include:
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Shorter following distances than would be possible manually, because of instantaneous communication of steering, braking and acceleration commands.
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Fuel savings from drafting effect (reduced air drag for trailing trucks).
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Improved logistical efficiency and highway capacity by making more effective use of road network.
Key Benefits for Logistics & Freight Operators
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Fuel and emissions reduction: Studies and pilot projects have shown meaningful fuel savings for trailing trucks and modest gains for lead trucks when platooning is implemented.
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Enhanced capacity and reduced congestion: With trucks able to follow more closely, highway capacity can increase and congestion effects may reduce.
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Driver efficiency & cost savings: By enabling a lead driver to manage multiple trucks or reducing time gaps, operator cost per tonne-km may drop.
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Sustainability credentials for B2B clients: Offering platooning-enabled haulage helps forwarders show low-carbon, high-efficiency logistics—a growing B2B demand.
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Operational reliability: With connected systems, platooning can offer more predictable convoy behaviour and scheduling, which appeals to large shippers needing reliability.
Regulatory Challenges in 2025
While the benefits are clear, the path to deployment is blocked by several regulatory and infrastructure issues:
1. Legal exemptions & “following too closely” rules
Highways laws typically prohibit vehicles from following too closely. Platooning requires very short gaps, so dedicated exemptions or regulatory oversight are needed. For example, in many U.S. states participating in pilot programs the “following too closely” rule has been waived for platooning vehicles.
2. Multi-state / cross-border harmonisation
When platooning crosses state lines (or national borders), differences in regulation, oversight, driver rules and vehicle standards pose a challenge. Harmonised rules are still emerging
3. Infrastructure readiness & digital connectivity
Platooning depends on reliable vehicle-to-vehicle communication, sometimes vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), quality road markings, lane consistency, and predictable highway conditions. Without this infrastructure, safety and performance degrade. WIPO+1
4. Driver / automation responsibility and liability
Determining who is responsible in the convoy (lead vehicle driver, trailing drivers, system provider) is complex. What level of automation is acceptable? Who intervenes if something goes wrong? These raise regulatory, insurance and operational issues.
5. Public perception, safety and road wear concerns
While platooning may reduce fuel use, concentrated loads and tight convoys raise concerns about road wear and risks if a platoon is disrupted (cut-in from other vehicles, emergency braking).
Operational Pilot Projects & Examples
Here are a few noteworthy pilot initiatives:
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In the U.S., the highway corridor on I-70 between Ohio and Indiana tested semi-autonomous platooning where a lead truck controlled a follower via military-grade communications, showing fuel savings and operational feasibility.
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In Europe, the multi-brand project ENSEMBLE aims to demonstrate cross-manufacturer truck platooning on public roads, highlighting regulatory and interoperability issues in Europe.
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In U.S. states, the regulatory review report shows that states such as Florida, Georgia and Indiana have passed laws to allow regulated platooning, albeit often under pilot or controlled conditions.
What This Means for B2B Freight Forwarders & Carriers
For Carriers & Fleet Operators
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Evaluate whether your fleet is compatible with platooning technology: are trucks platoon-capable or retrofittable?
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Monitor routes and corridors where platooning is permitted or pilot-enabled; plan early participation to gain competitive edge.
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Work with technology providers and government/trucking associations to understand cost/benefit: fuel savings vs upfront investment, maintenance, driver training.
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Adjust driver contracts, insurance and liability frameworks so that platooning operations are covered and compliant.
For Freight Forwarders / Logistics Service Providers
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In your service proposals to B2B clients, highlight platooning-enabled haulage as a premium, efficiency/sustainability-driven service offering.
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Collaborate with carriers that are participating in or ready for platooning; you may position your company as early adopter and innovation partner.
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Build client education materials: many shippers may ask “what does platooning mean for my freight in terms of cost, reliability, green credentials?”
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Keep route-planning flexible: platooning may be more suitable for specific highway corridors, specific load types or specific times of day. Use this as a value-added differentiator.
Outlook & Best Practices for Deployment in 2025
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The literature suggests platooning technologies are progressing fast, but large scale commercial rollout depends strongly on regulatory, infrastructure and market coordination.
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Best practice is to target pilotable corridors first (e.g., long‐haul highway segments, controlled access highways, major freight routes) and then scale as regulation catches up.
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Data capture is important: measure actual fuel savings, reduced driver hours, reliability improvements & road impact. Use these metrics in your client communication.
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Ensure you integrate platooning readiness into your fleet renewal plans: new trucks should be platooning capable if the business case justifies it.
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Communicate the sustainability benefits to your B2B clients: lower emissions, improved logistics efficiency and future-proof capability.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Can platooning work with different brands of trucks or only same-make vehicles?
A1. Historically many platoon trials have involved same-make fleets (for compatibility). Multi-brand interoperability is a regulatory and technical challenge; for example the EU roadmap emphasises cross-manufacturer solutions.
Q2. How much fuel can we save with freight platooning?
A2. It depends on the configuration, truck types, spacing, speed and route conditions. Some studies indicate savings of around 5-10 % for trailing trucks and smaller percentages for lead trucks.
Q3. Is platooning already legal on public highways?
A3. In some jurisdictions pilot projects and exemptions exist, but full commercial deployment across all highways is still limited. Regulatory harmonisation is still ongoing.
Q4. Which freight types or routes are best suited for platooning?
A4. Long‐haul highway segments with relatively consistent route and speed, minimal urban disruption, and chains of compatible trucks are best suited initially. Short urban hops or highly variable loads are more challenging.
Q5. What should logistics companies do now to prepare?
A5. Start by assessing your fleet’s platooning readiness, monitor regulation in your key corridors, engage carriers/technology providers, build the business case (fuel, driver cost, sustainability), and incorporate this capability into your service proposition for clients.
Conclusion
For freight forwarders, carriers and logistics service providers, freight platooning on highways in 2025 represents a significant opportunity to increase efficiency, reduce costs and strengthen sustainability credentials. However, it also demands proactive strategy: monitoring regulatory environments, investing in technology and choosing the right routes and loads.
By positioning your company as one that is ready for the next wave of road-haulage innovation, you can turn platooning from a technological novelty into a competitive differentiator in the B2B logistics market.
