Kyiv–Odesa will test three-unit road trains
The start is possible after a technical inspection of the route; the benchmark is Sweden and Finland, where longer trains reduce fuel consumption and emissions
In Ukraine the government has launched a two-year experiment using three-unit road trains on the Kyiv – Odesa route to test the feasibility and effectiveness of operating such long vehicle combinations on one of the country’s main highways.
The decision was made by a Cabinet of Ministers resolution at the initiative of the Ministry for Development of Communities and Territories, which proposes to test the operation of long truck combinations in practice and collect data for further decisions on their wider application, as stated in the ministry’s announcement and the relevant publication.
Due to current restrictions on dimensional and weight parameters, the legislation does not currently allow the mass use of such vehicles, so within the experiment movement will be carried out exclusively on the basis of special permits and only along the designated route.
The ministry clarifies that deployment on the line will be possible only after a technical inspection of the condition and safety of the road surface. A three-unit road train is a combination of a single tractor unit with several trailers, which makes it possible to carry a larger batch of cargo in one trip and increases transport efficiency.
According to the ministry, the experience of Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands and Denmark demonstrates that the use of such combinations reduces fuel and logistics costs, making transport more economical over long distances.
In addition, thanks to a larger number of axles the load is distributed more evenly, which helps cause less damage to the asphalt concrete, and the reduction in the number of trips compared with standard lorries reduces the volume of exhaust emissions.
The results of operations on the Kyiv – Odesa section over two years will serve as the basis for decisions on the possible expansion of the practice of operating three-unit road trains to other state roads.
For reference: in November 2025 Ukraine sold 982 new commercial vehicles (trucks and special vehicles), which is 10% less compared with November 2024.
