EU strengthens CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles

The European Council has formally adopted the regulation on CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles, amending and strengthening the existing EU rules. Under the revised rules, the scope of the existing regulation will be expanded to make almost all new heavy-duty vehicles with certified CO2 emissions – including smaller trucks, urban buses, coaches and trailers – subject to emission reduction targets.

The Council said the rules set new targets for emissions for heavy lorries and urban buses. The new rules maintain the existing 2025 target currently set at a 15% emissions reduction for heavy lorries weighing over 16t, but establishes the following new targets:

  • A 45% emissions reduction from 2030 (increased from 30%);
  • A 65% emissions reduction from 2035;
  • A 90% emissions reduction from 2040.

These targets will apply to medium lorries, heavy trucks weighing over 7.5t and coaches, as well as to corresponding vocational vehicles from 2035 onwards.

The new rules also introduce a 100% zero-emission target for new urban buses by 2035, with an intermediate target of 90% for this category by 2030. Inter-urban buses will be exempt from this target, as they will be regarded as coaches for the purposes of measuring emissions reduction, said the Council.

“More robust standards for CO2 emissions will help increase the share of zero-emission vehicles in the heavy-duty vehicle fleet across the EU, while ensuring that innovation in and competitiveness of the sector are preserved and enhanced,” said the Council.

The regulation will now be signed and published in the Official Journal of the EU. It will enter into force 20 days after its publication. The effectiveness and impact of the amended regulation will be reviewed by the Commission in 2027.

According to the Council, the heavy-duty vehicle sector is responsible for more than 25% of greenhouse gas emissions from road transport in the EU. Towards the beginning of last year, the Commission submitted a proposal for a revision of the CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles.

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