Volvo and three of its driverless trucks will be taking part in the European Truck Platooning Challenge.

The trucks will communicate with each other in a wireless format and will drive in succession as part of a platoon, reports Logistics Manager.

Initiated by the Dutch presidency of the EU, the challenge aims to aid and hasten the introduction of the alignment of driverless trucks on the road for the benefit of fuel economy.

The automotive manufacturer has said that when trucks drive closely behind one another fuel economy is improved as drag is significantly decreased.

Wireless technology allows drivers of large trucks to communicate with each other to match their pace of speed and braking, which means that they can travel with as little as a one-second gap between each vehicle.

Anders Kellstrom, project manager for Volvo's participation in the EU Truck Platooning Challenge, said: "Essentially, this means that the reaction time for braking is reduced to zero, which in turn improves safety and minimises the 'accordion effect' in connection with traffic congestion."