International transport is changing – and faster than many may realize. Vehicles with a permissible gross vehicle weight of up to 7.5 tons, known as solo trucks, are playing an increasingly important role. Why? There are several reasons: from growing regulatory pressure on large fleets to changes in drivers’ working time regulations, and an increasing demand for fast and flexible transport.
In the dynamically changing landscape of the TSL (Transport, Spedition, Logistics) industry, where each vehicle segment plays its specific role, transport by solo vehicles is gaining increasing importance. At MAKO TSL, we closely observe this trend, and since the beginning of the year have actively started cooperating with carriers, offering them attractive conditions and focusing on selecting routes and mileages tailored to their vehicles’ capabilities.
Solo trucks bridge the gap between flexible vans and powerful 13.6 m sets, offering unique benefits that can significantly impact operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Solo vehicles in the face of challenges in the TSL industry
The TSL industry faces rising operating costs, including fuel prices, spare parts, and service costs. The increase in driver employment and administration costs, resulting, among others, from the Mobility Package, also significantly affects profitability.
The same Mobility Package, introducing the obligation to use tachographs in vehicles up to 3.5 tons in July 2026, presents carriers with new challenges but also opens prospects for further industry development.
In the face of evolving market needs and the pursuit of maximum efficiency, carriers increasingly see solo trucks as an opportunity to develop their business. The flexibility of these vehicles in managing routes and cargo becomes a key asset, opening new perspectives for development and building a competitive advantage in the TSL industry.
Solo trucks: Key to efficient deliveries
An undoubted advantage of solo vehicles is their high maneuverability, which is particularly valuable for deliveries in city centers and narrow entrances. Where larger vehicles would encounter maneuvering problems, a solo truck will easily reach its destination. In an era of dynamic last-mile logistics development, the ability of solo trucks to efficiently navigate densely populated areas is invaluable.
Curtain-side solos offer loading flexibility from the side, rear, and top, which greatly facilitates logistical operations. Additionally, the possibility of equipping these vehicles with a lift and a pallet truck supports the “door-to-door” delivery concept. This eliminates the need for additional unloading equipment at the recipient’s end, which translates into time and cost savings.
Transport by solo trucks – an important element of our fleet
Although the cost of using a solo vehicle per pallet can be relatively high compared to a semi-trailer, their ability to handle partial and dedicated loads minimizes costs associated with underutilized cargo space. Reduced need for transshipment and shorter delivery times increase the flexibility of the entire logistical process.
Fleet expansion is not just a matter of ambition – it’s also a necessity to provide competitive and well-priced transport services. This will allow us to enter new markets and avoid mispriced freight quotes that do not reflect market realities.
We have already blazed the first trails in solo transport, actively cooperating with trusted subcontractors. Our network of partners already includes carriers with over 60 solo trucks, which allows us to operate effectively in this market. What’s more, we are investing in the dynamic expansion of our own fleet – our newly acquired solo vehicles up to 7.5 tons have just embarked on their first routes.
Summary
At Mako TSL, we understand that optimal transport is the result of synergy between various solutions. Our mission is comprehensive customer service, which is why we constantly diversify our services, adapting them to their growing needs. We started with vans, and the next step was the introduction of 13.6 m sets. Now, transport by solo trucks is not only another type of vehicle in our fleet but also its strategic element. It allows us to offer even more flexible, efficient, and tailored services to customer needs at competitive rates. It is also a response to changing regulations, such as those concerning tachographs in vehicles up to 3.5 tons – we are not abandoning van transport, but we want to provide carriers with an alternative and new development opportunities. We focus on a modern fleet, experienced drivers, and advanced technologies to ensure solo vehicles are a reliable link in supply chains.
This is another, but certainly not the last, step in our strategy aimed at comprehensively satisfying all our clients’ transport needs.
