Decarbonisation of commercial road transport and logistics should be linked to safety improvements and efficiency gains if the ambitious EU CO2 emissions reduction targets are to be met.

That is the key finding of a major new report on the future of commercial road transport in the EU, published by IRU.

Commercial Vehicle of the Future (CVOF) found measures to decarbonise road freight transport could provide new opportunities to further improve road safety and optimise operational efficiency.

This report’s aim is to take stock of how evolving technologies and trends could shape the use of commercial vehicles in the future, and how these measures might have positive crossover benefits for improving road safety and operational efficiency.

Marc Billiet, who leads IRU’s work on road freight transport and environmental affairs in Europe, said: "The road freight transport and logistics industry is well under way to meet its voluntary commitment to reduce CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030.

"But, it will be very difficult to reach these targets without close cooperation with partners in the public and private sector such as the European Institutions, national governments, vehicle and component manufacturers, fuel producers, ITS providers, clients and NGOs.”

He added: “The academically backed report was developed by a public–private partnership of EU road transport professionals, civil servants and experts.

"Their objectives have been to develop medium- and long-term policy and business recommendations, to propose an action plan on how to reach a 30% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 and a 60% reduction by 2050. The Commecial Vehicle of the Furture report does just that.”