EU lawmakers agree on proposal to boost uptake of clean trucks and buses

The European Parliament’s Environment Committee voted Tuesday (24 October) to support Commission targets to reduce the carbon footprint of heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), making it a near certainty that clean trucks will make up the majority of new HDVs post-2040.

The Committee upheld the Commission’s proposed targets of a 45% reduction in CO2 emissions in the period of 2030-2034, and a 90% reduction from 2040. However, lawmakers went beyond the Commission’s proposal for the period of 2035 – 2039, amending the figure to 70% rather than 65%.

If the committee position is given the green light by a Parliament as a whole at plenary on 21 or 22 November, it is highly likely that the 90% target by 2040 will become law, as the figure was similarly endorsed by the member states. 

As the vehicle fleet as a whole must meet these targets, this would mean that the majority of vehicles sold after 2040 will have zero tailpipe emissions, such as hydrogen-powered and electric vehicles.

While it will still be possible to produce some combustion engine vehicles, they would make up a fraction of the overall total of new HDVs.

After fraught discussions, EU countries reach deal on truck CO2 standards

EU countries reached a common negotiating position on draft rules to reduce the carbon footprint of heavy-duty vehicles on Monday (16 October), following a long evening of contentious discussions.

According to industry figures, to achieve a CO2 reduction of 45% by 2030, more than 400,000 zero-emission trucks will have to be on roads.

Under the committee position, so-called “vocational vehicles”, such as rubbish trucks, concrete mixers, and small urban trucks, will also be subject to the carbon reduction targets, in a bid to improve air quality in cities.

MEPs also want to see all newly registered urban buses go zero-emission from 2030. This is likely to be a source of conflict in negotiations with the Council, which wants to push back the entry of the zero-emission urban bus mandate to 2035.

Parliament lawmakers did, however, add the possibility for member states to request an exemption until 2035 for interurban buses fuelled by biomethane.

At the behest of conservative lawmakers, the report includes a requirement for the Commission to assess the possibility of developing a methodology for reporting full lifecycle CO2 emissions for new HDVs by 2031.

The report also states that truckmakers should improve the emissions performance of truck trailers by 12.5% in 2030.

“The transition towards zero-emission trucks and buses is not only key to meeting our climate targets, but also a crucial driver for cleaner air in our cities,” said Greens rapporteur Bas Eickhout.

“We are providing clarity for one of the major manufacturing industries in Europe and a clear incentive to invest in electrification and hydrogen,” he added.

The report was adopted with 48 votes in favour, 36 against and one abstention.

Carbon Correction Factor missing

Despite a strong push from the fuels industry, the Environment Committee did not include the so-called “Carbon Correction Factor” (CCF) in their position.

Under CCF, the quantity of renewable liquid fuels, such as biofuels and e-fuels, in the overall petrol and diesel mix would count towards CO2 reduction targets, de facto lowering the fleet targets that manufacturers must achieve.

Proponents say that this would better reflect the contribution of alternative fuels to climate mitigation, pointing out that the EU’s fuel mix is not 100% fossil fuels.

Italy leads charge to allow more diesel trucks under new CO2 targets

Ahead of a meeting of EU environment ministers on Monday (16 October), an Italian-led coalition of nations has formed to push for synthetic fuels and biofuels to be counted towards heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) carbon standards – a move welcomed by …

However, green campaigners have railed against the CCF, arguing it is a means to increase the number of diesel trucks that can be sold.

Environment ministers similarly did not include CCF in their position, though asked the Commission to investigate the possible contribution of CCF during a 2027 review of the law.

“Lawmakers have again rejected the oil industry’s attempts to waterdown the truck climate targets,” said Fedor Unterlohner, freight manager with the green NGO Transport & Environment. 

“A loophole for biofuels and e-fuels would ensure as many fossil powered trucks as possible enter the fleet over the coming decades and keep up demand for fossil fuels,” he added.

Reactions

ACEA, a trade association representing vehicle manufacturers, described the targets backed by the Environment Committee as “overly ambitious” without a ramp-up in charging and refuelling points and a subsequent increase in consumer demand.

In a statement, ACEA expressed concern that the targets “may express ambition on paper but are unachievable in reality”.

“ACEA’s members have made the investments, and zero-emission vehicles are ready to go, but customers must equally have the confidence to invest,” said Sigrid de Vries, ACEA Director General.

“Without enabling conditions in place, manufacturers will struggle to meet targets and face penalties while compliance largely depends on factors outside their direct control,” she added.

Conversely, Sandra Roling, Director of Transport at Climate Group, a non-profit that works with businesses to transition to clean freight vehicles, said the committee should have gone further.

“The targets to reduce CO2 emissions by 45% by 2030, and 70% by 2035 are a step in the right direction – but businesses have called for far more ambitious targets and a complete phase-out of fossil powered trucks, so this is a missed opportunity,” she said.

Global companies push EU Parliament to favour zero-emission trucks

Four major companies have called on EU lawmakers to adopt ambitious CO2 standards that will boost the production of zero tailpipe emission trucks, urging them to reject renewable fuels to decarbonise heavy-duty vehicles.

[Edited by Nathalie Weatherald]

Read more with Euractiv

Threat of higher fuel prices resurrects Yellow Vest fears

A recent analysis suggests that the EU’s carbon market for road transport and buildings (ETS 2) may see prices rise far above the €45 promised by the EU, provoking fears that protests against fuel price hikes will follow.