COMMISSION STRENGTHENS EU EMISSIONS TARGETS

The European Commission and the European Parliament and Council have entered into a provisional political agreement strengthening CO2 emissions standards for new heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) entering the EU market from 2030 onwards.

The agreement sets CO2 emissions reduction targets for HDVs of 45% for 2030-2034, 65% for 2035-2039 and 90% as of 2040, compared with

2019 levels. These standards will apply to almost all trucks (including vocational vehicles, such as rubbish trucks, tippers or concrete mixers as of 2035), and urban and long-distance buses.

Specific emissions reduction targets are also set for trailers (7.5%) and semi-trailers (10%), starting from 2030.

New urban buses must reduce emissions by 90% as of 2030. All new urban buses will have to be zero emissions by 2035.

Under the provisional deal, the commission will review the effectiveness and impact of the regulation by 2027. This review will cover expanding the scope to small lorries, a methodology for registering HDVs exclusively running on CO2-neutral fuels, in conformity with EU law and climate neutrality objectives. Additionally, it will address the role of a carbon correction factor in the transition towards zero-emission HDVs and establish a methodology for determining the full lifecycle CO2 emissions of new heavyduty vehicles.

The European Parliament and Council now need to approve the agreement formally. Once this process is completed, the new legislation will be published in the official journal of the union and enter into force.