EU rules on CO2 emission targets for trucks has edged closer to law with the Parliament voting to adopt the new measures. Regulations now go forward to Council of Ministers for formal ratification.
EU rules which will see the co2 emissions from large trucks reduced by 90% by 2040 has cleared another statutory hurdle, with the new regulation endorsed by MEPs with 341 votes in favour, 268 against and 14 abstentions in the Parliament this week.
CO2 emissions from large trucks (including vocational vehicles, such as refuse trucks, tippers and concrete mixers) and buses will have to be reduced by 45% for the period 2030-2034, 65% for 2035-2039 and 90% as of 2040. By 2030, new urban buses will need to reduce their emissions by 90% and become zero-emission vehicles by 2035. Emissions reduction targets are also set for trailers (7.5%) and semi-trailers (10%), starting from 2030.
The law requires the European Commission to conduct a detailed review of the effectiveness and impact of the new rules by 2027. This review will need to assess, among others, whether to apply the rules to small lorries, the role of a methodology for registering heavy trucks exclusively running on CO2 neutral fuels and the role that a carbon correction factor could have in the transition towards zero-emission trucks.
