Comparison of light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles

1. light commercial vehicles (up to approx. 3.5 t GVW)

Typical areas of application

• Courier, express and parcel services

• Craft businesses and service providers

• Food and small business logistics

• Internal transportation

Technical features & payload

• Vehicle types: Panel vans, flatbeds, minibuses

• Payload: usually between 800 and 1,300 kg

• Easy handling, compact dimensions

• Comfortable equipment, similar to passenger car

Motorizations

• As a rule, economical diesel engines with 100–180 hp

• Suitable for smooth starts, city traffic and moderate distances

Legal framework conditions

• Available with car driver's license (B)

• Toll-free in many situations (depending on country/regulation)

• No tachograph obligation

Economic aspects

• Low purchase and operating costs

• Outstanding maintenance intervals

• Ideal for flexible deployment and high utilization in urban areas

Practical recommendation

Companies should pay attention to loading space height, body length and individual equipment (shelves, refrigeration, trailer coupling). Oversizing costs money unnecessarily; vehicles that are too small, on the other hand, cause more trips.

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2. medium-sized commercial vehicles (7.5–12 t GVW)

Typical areas of application

• Regional distribution in trade and industry

• Municipal services (winter road clearance, waste disposal)

• Lightweight construction site logistics

• Suitcase, tarpaulin and refrigerated transportation

Technical features & payload

• Payloads between 3.5 and 7 t

• Vehicle superstructures: Box body, tarpaulin/bows, tipper, refrigerated box body

• Robust than light vehicles, yet relatively flexible in use

• Good balance between maneuverability and load capacity

Engine options

• Power ranges mostly between 180 and 260 hp

• Designed for regional distances and varying loads

Legal framework

• C1 or C driving license required

• Compulsory tachograph

• Obligation to pay tolls (country-dependent)

Economic aspects

• Higher investment than for light vehicles, but significantly more payload

• Ideal for companies that transport heavy goods or require superstructures on a daily basis

• Good residual values, especially with high-quality superstructures

Practical recommendation

The right combination of body, axle loads and engine is crucial. Vehicles in this segment are often incorrectly dimensioned - either too small (overloading) or too large (unnecessary operating costs). A professional needs analysis pays off.

3. heavy commercial vehicles (from 18 t GVW)

Typical areas of application

• Long-distance transport and logistics

• Heavy-duty construction site logistics

• Special transports (crane vehicles, unwinders, silo vehicles)

• Cargo transportation in long-distance operation

Technical features & payload

• Axle configurations: 4x2, 6x2, 6x4, partly all-wheel drive

• Payloads: depending on body and trailer, usually 10–28 t

• High durability of frame, engine and transmission

• Extensive cab and assistance systems

Engine options

• 300–600 hp and more

• Optimized for continuous load, full load and long distances

• Automated transmissions are now standard in long-distance transport

Legal framework

• CE driving license

• Strict driving and rest periods

• Mandatory toll

• Regular safety checks and stricter regulations for certain bodies

Economic aspects

• Higher purchase price, but optimum efficiency per transported tonne

• Indispensable for companies with high transport volumes

• Long service life with regular maintenance

Recommended practice

For heavy vehicles, engine power, axle configuration, choice of transmission and body are crucial. There are different requirements for construction sites and long-distance transport - and a precise analysis of the deployment prevents incorrect purchases and high follow-up costs.

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4. Comparison of the three classes

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5. What companies should look out for when selecting

1. Precisely define the application profile – route, load, dimensions, industry requirements

2. Realistically calculate payload – including driver, equipment, body weight.

3. Consider TCO instead of purchase price – consumption, maintenance, tires, wear & tear.

4. Consider future security – Reserve for growth or new orders.

5. Determine body selection early on – box, tarpaulin, tipper, refrigeration, crane etc.

6. Adjust the engine and transmission to the daily load

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6. Recommendations from the perspective of an experienced commercial vehicle dealer

• Don't make decisions based on gut feeling, but rely on reliable data.

• Avoid incorrect purchases by focusing on the actual intended use

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• Pay attention to axle loads – often underestimated, but crucial for usability and legality.

• Perform a test drive with a realistic load, if possible.

• Prefer documented maintenance histories as they reduce failure risks.

• Carefully check superstructures and optional extras; they have a major impact on utility value and costs.

A professional dealer actively supports this analysis and helps to choose a vehicle that is economical, reliable and suitable for everyday business in the long term.

Conclusion

Light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles perform completely different tasks. The choice of the right class depends on payload, application profile and economic conditions. Companies benefit if they clearly define these factors and are supported in their selection by experienced experts. This results in decisions that are reliable and economical in the long term.