Europe on the Move: Commission proposes first ever EU-wide CO2 emission standards for new heavy-duty vehicles

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Europe on the Move: Commission proposes first ever EU-wide CO2 emission standards for new heavy-duty vehicles

17/05/2018

The Juncker Commission completes its agenda for safe, clean and connected mobility. It is undertaking the third and final set of actions to modernise Europe's transport system.

In his State of the Union address of September 2017, President Juncker set out a goal for the EU and its industries to become a world leader in innovation, digitisation and decarbonisation. Building on the previous 'Europe on the Move' of May and November 2017, the Juncker Commission is today putting forward a third and final set of measures to make this a reality in the mobility sector.

Vice-President responsible for Energy Union, Maroš Šefčovič said: "Mobility is crossing a new technological frontier. With this final set of proposals under the Energy Union, we help our industry stay ahead of the curve. By producing key technological solutions at scale, including sustainable batteries, and deploying key infrastructure, we will also get closer to a triple zero: emissions, congestion and accidents."

Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy, Miguel Arias Cañete said: "All sectors must contribute to meet our climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. That's why, for the first time ever, we are proposing EU standards to increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions from new heavy-duty vehicles. These standards represent an opportunity for European industry to consolidate its current leadership position on innovative technologies."

Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc said: "Over the past year, this Commission has put forward initiatives addressing the challenges of today and paving the way for the mobility of tomorrow. Today's measures constitute a final and important push so that Europeans can benefit from safe, clean and smart transport. I am inviting the Member States and the Parliament to live up to our level of ambition."

Commissioner for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, Elżbieta Bieńkowska said: "90% of road accidents are due to human error. The new mandatory safety features we propose today will reduce the number of accidents and pave the way for a driverless future of connected and automated driving."

With today's initiatives, the Commission aims to ensure a smooth transition towards a mobility system which is safe, clean and connected & automated. Through these measures, the Commission is also shaping an environment allowing EU companies to manufacture the best, cleanest and most competitive products.

Clean Mobility

As a key measure on clean mobility, the Commission is completing its agenda for a low-emission mobility system by putting forward the first ever CO2 emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles.

In 2025, average CO2 emissions from new trucks will have to be 15% lower than in 2019. For 2030, an indicative reduction target of at least 30% compared to 2019 is proposed, subject to the early review to take place in 2022.

These targets are consistent with the EU's commitments under the Paris Agreement and will allow transport companies – mostly SMEs – to make significant savings thanks to lower fuel consumption (€25,000 over five years).

In the first phase, targets are set for the largest lorries, which account for 65% to 70% of all CO2 emissions of the sector. In 2022, targets will also be set for smaller lorries, buses, coaches and trailers.

The proposed targets are ambitious, cost-effective and realistic. They have been subject to a thorough impact assessment with close involvement of all stakeholders.

Complementary to the CO2 targets, the legislative proposal includes an incentive system for zero- and low- emission vehicles. This system of super credits will accelerate the introduction into the market of such vehicles, including zero-emission buses, by rewarding those manufacturers investing more in innovative technologies.

The proposal also includes provisions to ensure that the targets are effectively applied and enforced. These include mandatory fuel consumption meters to monitor real-world fuel consumption data, conformity checks to ensure that the vehicles produced are as clean as the ones tested and financial penalties in case of non-compliance.

The proposal will lead to significant benefits:

  • It will contribute to the achievement of the EU's commitments under the Paris Agreement through the reduction of around 54 million tonnes of CO2 in the period 2020 to 2030, equivalent of the total annual emissions of Sweden.
  • It will lead to significant fuel savings for those 600 000 small and medium enterprises that are operating across the EU in the freight transport sector. On average, they will save 25 000 euro per vehicle in fuel savings in the first 5 years of use, against an increase in the initial price of the vehicle of less than 2% of the total cost of the vehicle.
  • It sets right conditions to invest and innovate in Europe. The regulatory signal will help create the conditions for EU manufacturers to invest in clean vehicles and fuel-efficient technologies and maintain their technological leadership.

To allow for further CO2 reductions, the Commission is also making it easier to design more aerodynamic trucks and is improving labelling for tyres. In addition, the Commission is putting forward a comprehensive action plan for batteries that will help create a competitive and sustainable battery "ecosystem" in Europe.

More information

For more information on the full set of measures for safe, clean and connected & automated mobility announced today, please see:

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