Leermasse

Leermasse, also rendered as empty mass or unladen weight, is a term used in German-speaking contexts to denote the mass of a vehicle or container when it is in an unladen state. It describes how heavy the object is without payload such as passengers, cargo, or other transported goods.

In practice, Leermasse is often presented in vehicle data sheets alongside related figures such as Nutzlast (payload capacity) and zulässiges Gesamtgewicht or Gesamtgewicht (gross vehicle weight). The term can be synonymous with Leergewicht or Eigengewicht, though the exact wording and what is included in the mass can vary by regulation, manufacturer, or country. Some definitions include standard equipment and essential operating fluids, while others exclude fuel and consumables; these variations mean that the precise composition of the Leermasse should be checked in the applicable specification.

Leermasse is used for technical planning, regulation compliance, and classification. It helps determine payload capacity, loading limits, and performance characteristics. For example, two buses with different Leermassen may offer the same total allowed weight but different available Nutzlast. In broader contexts, Leermasse is relevant to taxation, insurance, and transport logistics, where accurate mass data affect vehicle authorization and operational efficiency.

Overall, Leermasse is a foundational concept in vehicle engineering and logistics, indicating the mass of a vehicle or container in its empty state, with exact contents dependent on regional standards and manufacturer specifications.