Platooning refers to journeys with electronically coupled, i.e. digitally networked trucks. One of the goals is to save fuel by exploiting the slipstream. In the now completed trial, research partners DB Schenker, MAN and Fresenius University of Applied Sciences tested the process for seven months with two vehicles that travelled between DB Schenker branches in Nuremberg and Munich at distances of 15 to 21 meters. They covered a total of around 35,000 test kilometers. This resulted in savings of 3 to 4% in fuel consumption. The university reports that the truckers also praised the driving comfort and a general feeling of safety.

Daimler had recently expressed less optimism after conducting their own tests . According to board member Martin Daum, fuel costs are only saved under ideal conditions that hardly exist in reality.