Consumer Watchdog Files Lawsuit Against XXL American Pickups Causing Issues in German Cities | Carscoops

      Pro-environment nonprofit urges federal transport authority to release data on permits issued for trucks lacking EU type approval

      19 hours ago

      by Chris Chilton

      A consumer association in Germany is taking legal action against the country's transport authority concerning full-size US trucks.

      The Environmental Action Germany (DUH) is requesting that the KBA disclose information on permits granted for vehicles such as Ram's 1500 pickups.

      These large trucks do not comply with EU type approval regulations and must receive individual approval from the KBA.

      Recently, President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction over Europe’s low purchase of American cars. Now, a German consumer association is intent on making it more challenging for specific US vehicles to be allowed on the roads in Germany.

      The DUH, a non-profit focused on environmental and consumer protection, believes that full-size American trucks are excessively large, polluting, and pose safety risks. They have filed a lawsuit against Germany’s Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA) to compel the agency to disclose information regarding trucks operating in the country.

      Why American Pickups Are Under Scrutiny

      Large trucks, such as the Ford F-Series, certain Ram models, and comparable GM pickups, do not conform to EU type approval regulations concerning safety and emissions, unlike smaller American vehicles like the Ford Mustang and Cadillac Lyriq.

      According to the DUH, these trucks emit up to nine times more CO2 particles than typical Euro-market cars and frequently lack the safety systems required in the region. Additionally, with dimensions of up to 6.8 m (266 inches) in length and 2.7 m (106 inches) in width, they can be challenging to maneuver on some European roads and may not fit in European parking spaces at all.

      Each vehicle imported into Europe requires individual approval, and the DUH is troubled by the fact that 80 percent of the 4,025 registrations across the 27 EU countries in 2023 occurred in Germany. Nearly 3,000 of these trucks were Rams, despite Stellantis pickups ranking third behind the Chevy Silverado and Ford F-Series in the US new-vehicle sales for 2023.

      The DUH previously requested the KBA to supply data regarding individual approval permits for these oversized trucks. However, after the KBA declined to comply, the organization has escalated the issue to court, invoking the Environmental Information Act to facilitate access to the requested information.

      “Allowing these trucks to bypass type approval regulations results in significant climate damage and an increased risk of serious traffic accidents,” warns Jürgen Resch, Federal Managing Director of the DUH.

      Resch and the DUH are urging the German government to impose substantial taxes and parking restrictions to diminish the attractiveness of these trucks and reduce their entry into the country.