On 14 February 2023, the European Commission presented a revision of the CO2 emission limits for heavy vehicles (trucks and buses). The new rules amend the existing EU Regulation 2019/1242, which set the first ever EU greenhouse gas emission standards for new heavy-duty vehicles. Under the existing framework, manufacturers were required to ensure that new heavy vehicles produced from 2030 emit 30% less CO2 than in 2019, with an interim target of -15% from 2025. However, less than 3 years after setting the target, the European Commission is now substantially tightening the existing target from 2030, while setting new targets. For 2040, the target is as high as a 90% reduction. The proposal thus effectively accelerates the introduction of electromobility, whether battery or hydrogen.
“Perhaps never in history has the automotive industry been in such a complicated situation as now. Apart from production disruptions caused by persistent global chip shortages or the impact of high energy and material prices, vehicle manufacturers are literally overwhelmed by the excessive amount of incoming European legislation. Particularly in the context of the recent proposal for new Euro 7/VII emission standards, we consider the requirement for speed in reducing CO2 emissions to be extremely tough.” Says David Kříž, CEO of Iveco Czech Republic and member of the Board of Directors of the Automotive Industry Association.
Although the volumes of heavy vehicles produced are orders of magnitude lower than for passenger cars, it should be recognised that more than 78% of goods and passenger transport in the EU is carried out by road. The proposed changes will therefore affect not only manufacturers but also transport operators and, above all, citizens and businesses, for whom it will make goods and services more expensive. The real decarbonisation of road transport requires much more than just stricter CO2 targets for manufacturers. Technology alone is not today a barrier to the transition to climate neutrality. At the moment, it is both the lack of resources, especially batteries, and the virtual absence of the necessary charging and recharging infrastructure. At the same time, there is a complete lack of conditions that would motivate transport operators to change their fleets, be it the tax environment or the availability of infrastructure. As committed as truck manufacturers are to bringing zero-emission vehicles to the market, a coherent regulatory framework is urgently needed to make this transition a reality, alongside massive support at Member State level, particularly in terms of
Commercial road transport is a B2B market driven by demand and pressure for low TCO (total cost of ownership and operation). Transport operators will quickly move to zero emission vehicles when charging/refuelling infrastructure is no longer seen as a barrier and the total cost of ownership is clearly in favour of battery electric or hydrogen vehicles. Setting a near zero fleet CO2 emissions target or a fixed date for the phase-out of internal combustion engine vehicles does not address either of these fundamental conditions. Beyond the focus on zero-emission powertrains, manufacturers believe that internal combustion engines powered by fossil-free fuels should continue to play an important long-term role, at least in a type-limited but irreplaceable range of heavy-duty applications. This is not only in the military field, but especially in firefighting, police or construction vehicles, or for travel outside the EU. The Automotive Industry Association is therefore calling on government representatives to push for the following during the forthcoming legislative process:
