Why do European trucks have cab over engines?
The total length of a semi truck is limited to 18,75m in the EU
This has led to a defacto standart trailer length of 13,60m. If you put a tractor with a long nose on that it will be too long.
you will notice several key differences between trucks in the US and the EU, most come from this requisition.
-trucks all but a few are cab over design
-trucks have a shorter wheelbase
-small gap between cab and trailer
-most trucks are 2 axle
-most trailers are 3 axle
most trucks are either
-tautliners + standart tractor :curtain sided flatbeds with a load capacity of 13,6m x 2,45m x 2,75m in volume and about 24 tons in weight
-megatrailer + lowdeck tractor: curtain side fladbet with a load capacity of 13,6m x 2,45m x 3m in volume and about 28 tons in weight. this combination requires a special tractor that sits on smaler wheels and is build lower to be able to couple on the lower kin pin of the mega trailer.
there are plans to allow ,5m more in length for the combination, to allow for extra aerodynamic improvements on the trucks