Improvements in fuel efficiency or vehicle efficiency would lead to improved economic efficiency for the road haulier unless the gains are offset by the higher investment cost of a lorry adapted to alternative fuels and the difference in fuel
price. It should be noted, though, that compared with long-distance road haulage, the fuel’s share of total costs is far less for urban distribution with comparatively short annual driving distances. Instead, labour costs constitute the bulk of costs since the vehicle costs are also comparatively low with small, standardized and mass-produced vehicles. The load factor and the back-haul problem could also be seen as a time- or sales-related problem, and, therefore, partly an internal measure.