Lastvekt

Lastvekt is a term used in Norwegian transport and logistics to denote the weight of the load that a vehicle, container, or equipment is designed to carry. It represents the usable carrying capacity and is an important specification for planning loads, ensuring safety, and complying with regulations. In many contexts lastvekt is closely aligned with the concept of payload.

In most vehicles and containers, lastvekt is defined as the difference between the maximum tillatt totalvekt (maximum permissible total weight) and the egenvekt (empty or tare weight) of the vehicle or container. Put simply, nyttelast equals maks tillatt totalvekt minus egenvekt. The exact composition of the payload—whether it includes passengers, cargo, or other load—depends on the context and the design of the vehicle.

The term is used across various domains, including road transport (trucks and buses), aviation, maritime freight, and freight containers. Measurements are given in kilograms or tonnes, and the practical value varies widely—from small vans with modest payloads to heavy trucks and ships with tens of tonnes of usable load.

Regulatory relevance is a key aspect of lastvekt. It informs legal load limits, axle weight distribution, braking performance, tire ratings, and overall road or port safety requirements. Overloading can compromise handling, increase stopping distances, and lead to penalties or safety risks.

Example: a truck with a maximum total weight of 26,000 kg and an empty weight of 20,000 kg has a lastvekt of 6,000 kg.

See also: nyttelast, gross vehicle weight, tare weight, payload.