Discover the new EU CO₂ standards and how they will shape the future of heavy-duty transportation
Trucks and buses are responsible for more than a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions from road transport in the EU and for more than 6% of total EU greenhouse gas emissions. Despite some improvements in fuel consumption efficiency in recent years, these emissions are still rising, mainly due to increasing road freight traffic.
To end this, the EU has set new CO₂ standards for heavy-duty vehicles to raise our ambitions and meet the EU’s climate and zero-emission targets, while reducing the demand for fossil fuels. This initiative is a crucial part of the EU Commission’s “Fit for 55” package, which aims to cut emissions by 55 percent by 2030.
Scope new emission targets
The new regulation expands the current scope to include almost all new heavy-duty vehicles with certified CO2 emissions, including small trucks, city buses, coaches and trailers. This is in line with the EU’s climate targets for 2030 and beyond, where more ambitious emission reduction targets have been set:
- 45% reduction from 2030 (increased from the previous 30%)
- 45% reduction from 2030
- 90% reduction from 2040
These targets will apply to medium-duty trucks, heavy trucks over 7.5 tons, coaches, and similar specialized vehicles from 2035 onwards.
Emission-free urban buses
The new regulations introduce also a zero-emission target of 100% for new urban buses by 2035, with an interim target of 90% for this category by 2030. Intercity buses will be exempt from this target, categorized instead as tourist buses for emissions reduction purposes.
Future steps
By setting these new standards and targets, the EU aims to significantly reduce the environmental impact of road transport, which currently accounts for 20% of all greenhouse gas emissions within the EU, according to the EU Commission. With nearly 99% of heavy transport relying on imported fossil fuels, this shift towards electrification and hydrogen power is essential for meeting the EU’s ambitious climate goals.
The next step for the industry is to adopt sustainable solutions, including the use of electric and hydrogen vehicles, and to leverage existing sustainable technologies for heavy transport. By doing so, the industry can ensure compliance with new regulations and contribute to a greener future.
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Want to know more about how Green Energy can help your organisation comply with the new standards and reduce CO2 emissions? Visit www.greenenergy.pro or contact us here.
