Safety Revolution: Europe’s Trucks Hit Record High as Five-Star Ratings Surge

ANNIE ALLEN (UK Bureau Chief)

A major safety shift is sweeping through Europe’s commercial vehicle space as Euro NCAP reports a dramatic leap in truck safety standards, with more models than ever achieving top-tier ratings.

In its latest round of assessments, five out of seven trucks in the Regional Distribution category secured the coveted five-star rating—more than doubling the benchmark set just two years ago when testing first began. The results signal a fast-moving industry transformation, with manufacturers racing to outdo one another on safety performance.

At the forefront of this surge is the Scania L-series, which emerged as the standout performer with an impressive 90 per cent overall score. Designed for dense urban operations, the truck’s low-entry cab and superior direct vision, combined with advanced pedestrian and cyclist protection systems, placed it firmly ahead of the pack.

Close behind are heavyweights like the Mercedes-Benz Actros and the Volvo FM, both delivering strong all-round performances across safety categories, alongside the MAN TGM, which achieved a milestone first five-star rating for its manufacturer. Another Scania model, the P-series, also joined the top tier, reflecting a broader engineering push toward safer vehicle design.

The trucks were evaluated across three critical pillars-safe driving, crash avoidance, and post-crash safety, while also earning the CitySafe label for meeting strict urban operation safety thresholds. These advancements are particularly significant for Regional Distribution trucks, which operate in high-risk environments ranging from busy city centres to logistics corridors.

Beyond individual performances, the results expose a growing divide in how manufacturers approach safety. While some, such as DAF Trucks, include key safety systems as standard, others still treat them as optional extras, despite their relatively low cost compared to the potential life-saving benefits.

According to Euro NCAP’s Director of Strategic Development, Matthew Avery, the momentum is clear: truck makers are responding rapidly to independent safety testing, and competition is accelerating improvements across the board.

With testing set to expand to lighter City Distribution trucks later in the year, the trajectory is unmistakable, Europe’s trucks are entering a new era where safety is no longer a feature, but a defining standard.

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