NewsEU tightens CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles in bold move

EU tightens CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles in bold move

The EU Council adopted on Monday a regulation on CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles.

Images source: © East News | Maciej Luczniewski/REPORTER

13 May 2024 14:28

The EU Council adopted a significant regulation on Monday, targeting CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles and marking a tighter set of rules than before. This regulation encompasses nearly all new heavy-duty vehicles with a certified CO2 emission value, extending to smaller trucks, city buses, coaches, and trailers.

According to the EU Council's announcement, the regulations maintain a target for 2025: a 15 percent reduction in emissions for heavy goods vehicles weighing over 35,000 pounds.

The new targets for medium-heavy goods vehicles exceeding 16,500 pounds and coaches, along with some specialist vehicles, are notably ambitious: a 45 per cent reduction from 2030, up from the previous 30 per cent, 65 per cent from 2035, and a striking 90 per cent from 2040.

City buses are set to reach zero emissions by 2035, with an impressive interim target of 90 per cent reduction by 2030. Intercity buses, however, will be exempt from this specific target, as they are categorized as coaches for emission measurement.

The regulation is slated for signing and publication in the Official Journal of the EU and will take effect 20 days post-publication.

EU's greenhouse gas emission reduction plan

The heavy-duty vehicle sector is significant, accounting for over 25 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from road transport within the EU. The initial CO2 emission standards for selected heavy-duty vehicles were established in 2019, with set targets for the years 2025 to 2029 and commencement from 2030, which included a regulation review planned for 2022, as noted by the Council.

In February 2023, the Commission unveiled a proposal to update the CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles, marking a crucial step in the "Fit for 55" legislative package. These revised regulations are geared towards fulfilling the EU's ambitious goal of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 percent by 2030, relative to 1990 levels, and achieving climate neutrality by 2050.