Stricter CO2 emission targets adopted for trucks

The European Parliament has backed new measures to strengthen CO2 emission reduction targets for new heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs).

Manufacturers will have to cut the average emissions of new trucks by 45% in 2030, 65% in 2035 and 90% in 2040.

Trailer manufacturers will also need to improve the emissions performance of truck trailers by 10% in 2030.

The CO2 target for buses was also reduced to 90% in 2030, reaching 100% by 2035.

The law also requires the European Commission to look into synthetic fuels for trucks.

Under the deal agreed by governments and MEPs, the Commission will assess making a proposal to register heavy-duty vehicles running only on e-fuels within the next year.

Sandra Roling, director of transport at Climate Group, said: “We’ve long called for MEPs to resist attempts to amend the already agreed regulation and not to offer concessions for e-fuels and biofuels.

“Passing the regulation today is a great news – it will hasten the phase out of polluting combustion engines and sets a clear signal for investment in battery electric technologies for heavy trucking.”

The European Commission first published its proposals to decarbonise trucks in February, last year.

Fedor Unterlohner, freight manager at Transport and Environment (T&E), said: “European truck manufacturers now have a clear roadmap towards producing only zero-emission vehicles.

“EU governments already have charging targets that will enable the transition. Hauliers and the freight industry will have the supply of electric and hydrogen trucks they need to live up to their own climate responsibilities.”

He concluded: “The law agreed is a compromise that gives one of Europe’s biggest polluters a path to go green.

“Long-term investment certainty has been given to manufacturers which are facing electric competition from foreign rivals.

“They must not be diverted into dead-end technologies for trucks, such as biofuels and e-fuels, that cannot compete on efficiency and cost.”

T&E estimates the EU targets will result in at least 31% of new trucks and buses sold in 2030 being zero-emissions, and more than three-quarters (77%) in 2040.

Looking at the overall fleet, it is projected that 30% of the heavy-duty vehicles in Europe will be zero-emission by 2040.

After cars, heavy-duty vehicles are the biggest transport polluter in Europe.