Everyone in logistics is aware of the relatively low utilization rate of trucks. It is reportedly below 50 %, as many trucks bring a load to one place and return empty. Many other factors (like branded trucks: a Coca Cola truck cannot carry beverages from other companies, let alone something else than beverages) reduce the utilization even more. All these empty kilometers cost money and produce CO2 emissions.
In a move probably stimulated by the succes of the congestion charge in London an advisor to the British Government has proposed to tax empty truck kilometers. This would reduce road taxes for others and stimulate cooperation to improve utilization.
Hmm, not a bad idea. The only problem might be to check if a truck is empty or not. I can imagine that clever truckers keep the truck partly loaded at all time.
