Today, the EU Parliament has finally decided to tighten the CO2 requirements for new heavy vehicles. According to the Parliament, truck manufacturers must overall reduce CO2 emissions from new trucks by 45 per cent in 2030, 65 per cent in 2035 and 90 per cent in 2040. This will mean that there will be more and cheaper zero-emission trucks, such as e.g. electric trucks on the market.

"The days of polluting trucks and buses are numbered. Parliament's decision on tougher CO2 requirements for heavy vehicles is a really big step in the right direction, and absolutely crucial to reducing the climate impact from trucks and buses," says Daria Rivin, climate and transport advisor at the Green Transition Denmark, and continues:

"Many hauliers in Denmark and Europe would like to electrify their trucks and buses. At the moment, the selection is limited and the prices high, which in practice makes it difficult for especially small truckers to change. The stricter CO2 requirements for heavy vehicles mean that more is invested in zero-emission trucks and buses, that they become cheaper faster and that the transition is accelerated."

As something new, in addition to requirements for several types of trucks, requirements must also be made for new buses and truck trailers. Parliament has proposed that tourist buses must reduce their CO2 emissions at the same rate as trucks, while new fossil city buses must be phased out by 2030 throughout the EU. At the same time, Parliament proposes that truck trailers must reduce CO2 emissions by 15 per cent in 2030.

"Although the EU Parliament's position is a big step forward, we would have liked to see an even faster phasing out of fossil-fuel trucks and buses, with an actual end date for the internal combustion engine. Without complete phasing out, the EU risks being overtaken internally by vehicle manufacturers from China and the United States,” says Daria Rivin.

In addition, Parliament has voted that e-Fuels and all types of biofuels, including palm oil, which in practice emits 2-3 times more than fossil fuels, can be used by specially approved trucks.

"Instead of electrifying the heavy vehicles, Parliament has seriously proposed that a truck that runs on 100 per cent palm oil must also be considered climate neutral. It is completely insane and hopeless,” says Daria Rivin and continues:

"It is difficult to see the inclusion of fuels as anything other than an attempt to delay the green transition. Fuels have nothing to do with this regulation and the limited quantities of truly green fuels we have must be used to convert planes and ships" says Daria Rivin.

Parliament has decided this contrary to recommendations from the European shipping association ECSA and the European aviation industry Aviation 4 Europe have both been active opponents of the proposal for the inclusion of fuels. Likewise, most European truck manufacturers such as Daimler, Volvo, Renault and MAN have.

Trilogue negotiations between the Parliament, the Commission and the Council of Ministers are now beginning, which are expected to be completed at the beginning of the new year.  

Green Transition Denmark works for a rapid and sustainable transformation of society, both nationally and in the EU.