The European Parliament and the Council of the EU have reached a preliminary agreement on new measures to strengthen the CO2 reduction targets for new heavy goods vehicles. The agreement is expected to lead, among other things, to investment in electrification and hydrogen.

Negotiators agreed on CO2 reduction targets of 45 per cent for the period 2030-2034, 65 per cent for the period 2035-2039 and 90 per cent from 2040 onwards for large trucks (including special purpose trucks such as refuse trucks, tippers or concrete mixers from 2035) and buses. Agreed targets for new urban buses include a 90 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 and zero emissions by 2035. Emission reduction targets are also set for trailers (7.5 per cent) and semi-trailers (10 per cent) from 2030.

First, a detailed review of
Under the agreement, the European Commission will carry out a detailed review of the effectiveness and impact of the regulation by 2027. This will assess, among other things, the extension of the scope to small trucks, the role of the methodology for registering heavy duty vehicles (HDVs) that run exclusively on CO2-neutral fuels, in line with EU law and the objective of climate neutrality.

"Switching to zero-emission trucks and buses is not only key to achieving our climate goals, but also a crucial factor for cleaner air in our cities. We are providing clarity for one of Europe's major manufacturing sectors and a strong incentive to invest in electrification and hydrogen. We are building on the Commission's proposal and extending the scope to leisure vehicles and adjusting several targets and flexibility measures to catch up with reality as the transition to hydrogen is happening faster than expected," said Dutch MEP-Rapporteur Bas Eickhout (Greens/EFA).

The agreement still needs to be formally approved by the European Parliament and the Council to enter into force.

Heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) such as trucks, buses and coaches are currently responsible for more than 25 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from road transport in the EU. They account for more than six percent of the EU's total greenhouse gas emissions.

Source: Council of the EU, CTK