European Commission proposes rules to decarbonise freight transport

The European Commission proposed measures to decarbonise freight transport, which causes about 30% of transport emissions, by revising weight rules for zero-emission trucks and boosting rail. The standardised emissions-reporting method based on a new ISO/CEN standard previews disclosure expectations Indian logistics and exporting firms may face.

The European Commission introduced measures to make freight transport more sustainable under the European Green Deal, supporting climate neutrality by 2050 and a 90% cut in transport emissions by 2050. Freight transport causes about 30% of transport emissions, projected to rise 50% by 2050 without action, while roughly 53% of EU freight moves by road. The Commission proposed revising the Weights and Dimensions Directive to allow additional weight for zero-emission vehicles, optimising cross-border rail coordination, and standardising greenhouse gas emissions reporting for shipping companies.

The measures affect heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers, road hauliers, rail freight operators, infrastructure managers and shipping companies across the EU. Rail currently carries only around 12% of goods transported between EU countries, and the proposals provide incentives to better coordinate railway infrastructure capacity and reduce border delays. Zero-emission vehicle operators gain payload flexibility under the revised weight rules. Shipping firms face a standardised emissions-calculation method based on the new ISO/CEN standard, enabling consistent and comparable reporting to shippers.

Logistics operators, hauliers and shippers should prepare for the revised weight allowances favouring zero-emission vehicles, improved rail coordination mechanisms, and the standardised ISO/CEN-based emissions-reporting approach. Indian exporters, logistics providers and freight-forwarding firms serving EU markets should monitor how the standardised emissions methodology and modal-shift incentives affect supply-chain reporting obligations and the comparability of carbon data demanded by European customers, positioning themselves to provide consistent freight-emissions disclosures as requirements take shape.

Key figure — Freight share of transport emissions: approximately 30%