The Members of the European Parliament have endorsed proposals from the Environment Committee aimed at strengthening EU CO2 emission standards for new heavy-duty vehicles, encompassing buses, trucks, and trailers.
The report, which was adopted on Tuesday, received 48 votes in favor, 36 against, and one abstention. It emphasizes that enhancing requirements for reducing CO2 emissions from heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) and establishing the necessary infrastructure for recharging and refueling are crucial steps toward reducing emissions across the entire HDV fleet, in line with the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality objective.
On February 14, 2023, the Commission introduced a legislative proposal to establish CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles from 2030 onward. This initiative aims to help the EU achieve its goal of climate neutrality by 2050 and reduce the reliance on imported fossil fuels. Heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, city buses, and long-distance buses, are responsible for over 25% of greenhouse gas emissions from road transport in the EU and contribute to more than 6% of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
More Stringent Targets for 2035 and Zero-Emission Urban Buses by 2030
MEPs are advocating for ambitious CO2 emission reduction targets for medium and heavy trucks, including vocational vehicles (such as waste collection trucks, tipper trucks, or concrete mixers) and buses. These targets are proposed at 45% for the period 2030-2034, 70% for 2035-2039 (compared to the Commission’s proposed 65%), and 90% starting in 2040.
MEPs have also agreed that all newly registered urban buses should be zero-emission vehicles from 2030. They have introduced the possibility for member states to request a temporary exemption (until 2035) for urban buses powered by biomethane, subject to strict conditions related to refuelling infrastructure and the source of the fuel.
Other Proposed Measures Include:
Establishing an annual “Zero-Emission HDVs Forum” to facilitate the efficient and cost-effective deployment of recharging and refueling infrastructure.
By the end of 2026, the Commission should explore the potential of developing a methodology for reporting full lifecycle CO2 emissions for new HDVs.
Rapporteur Bas Eickhout (Greens/EFA, NL) stated, “The shift towards zero-emission trucks and buses is not only pivotal for meeting our climate targets but also a significant catalyst for cleaner air in our cities. We are providing clarity for one of the major manufacturing industries in Europe and a clear incentive to invest in electrification and hydrogen. We’re building upon the Commission’s proposal but with greater ambition. We aim to broaden the scope of the rules to include small and medium-sized lorries and vocational vehicles—sectors of particular importance for urban air quality—and we are adjusting various targets and benchmarks to keep pace with the rapidly evolving transition.”
MEPs are expected to adopt the report in the second plenary session of November 2023, and this will form Parliament’s negotiating position in discussions with EU governments regarding the final legislation.