Key facts
- European truckmakers are seeking a three-year delay to the EU's 2030 CO2 reduction targets.
- Current EU rules require a 43% cut in CO2 emissions for new heavy-duty vehicles by 2030.
- Only 2.4% of new heavy-duty vehicles in the EU are currently zero-emission.
- The CEOs of seven leading European truck and bus manufacturers made the request.
Europe's truck manufacturers are urging the European Union to postpone the implementation of 2030 CO2 reduction targets by three years, citing inadequate charging infrastructure and high energy costs that make zero-emission vehicles economically unviable for buyers. The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) noted that only 2.4% of new heavy-duty vehicles are currently zero-emission, significantly below the level needed to meet the 2030 goal.
Under existing EU regulations, manufacturers must achieve a 43% reduction in CO2 emissions for new heavy-duty vehicles by 2030, escalating to 64% by 2035 and 90% by 2040. Non-compliance incurs fines, though credits can be earned for the 2025-2029 period.
The CEOs of seven major European truck and bus manufacturers, including DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Iveco, and Scania, jointly called for the three-year delay. They also emphasized the need for policymakers to accelerate the rollout of charging stations, expedite grid connections, expand CO2-based road toll systems, and reinvest emissions trading revenue into infrastructure and the adoption of zero-emission vehicles.
This request comes as EU policymakers are considering a proposal to potentially relax the ban on new combustion-engine cars from 2035, following pressure from the automotive sector to ease green policies.