Mediaroom

The European Commission’s Weights and Dimensions Directive stands amongst a group of legislative proposals crucial for steering the transition towards a more sustainable and safer transport system. Ahead of the European Parliament votes on 14 February in the TRAN Committee and 11 March in the plenary session, this document, presented by CLEPA, the European association of automotive suppliers, provides an assessment of the proposed amendments. It explores the implication for the industry and offers recommendations to facilitate the advancement of sustainable mobility in Europe.

The Weight and Dimensions Directive aims to strengthen the environmental ambition set by previous iterations of the regulation, expediting decarbonisation efforts by promoting the uptake of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles. To achieve this objective, appropriate incentives must be provided within the sector, encouraging further investment in zero-emission technologies. Introducing additional allowances for weights and dimensions would compensate for the weight and size of those technologies. This approach ensures that zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) maintain the same loading capacity as conventional heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), serving as a key mechanism to facilitate the transition towards decarbonisation. These allowances are instrumental not only in accommodating heavier batteries but also in enabling the coupling of trucks with eTrailers, thereby supporting the seamless integration of advanced technologies.

Aligned with the targeted expansion of recharging and refuelling infrastructure and the implementation of more stringent CO2 standards for HDVs, amongst other initiatives, the freight transport sector can effectively and progressively realise the benefits of adopting zero-emission technologies while maintaining its key role in European and international transport, provided that enhancements are made to the proposed amendments in the Weights and Dimensions Directive.

5 key recommendations for a successful regulation: 

1. Increase of the axle load in light of the expected increase of the maximum authorised weight for a vehicle in combination with zero-emission vehicle by 4 tonnes. That additional weight requires a revision and subsequent increase of the maximum axle load through the whole truck-trailer (or semi-trailer) combination, without penalising the load capacity of the trailer. 
2. Additional weight allowances for zero-emission vehicles of 4 tonnes, particularly to what pertains to sub-sections 2.2.1 and 2.2.2, in such a way that the additional weight can be shared between the HDV and the trailer or eTrailer. 
3. A new exception for additional weight allowances, which would focus on allowing for the possibility to deploy zero-emission technologies such as eTrailers and zero-emission refrigeration units on internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles as a medium-term measure until all HDVs become ZEVs. This would allow for the elimination of around 6 million tonnes of CO2 emitted annually by all refrigeration units circulating on EU roads. 
4. An extension of deadline for allowances to 2039, considering the expected increase in the uptake of zero-emission vehicles, the deadline for these weight allowances should be extended to 2039, if the enabling conditions on the market allow for it. 
5. Clear definitions of Trailers, eTrailers and eTrailer technology need to be provided to ensure the appropriate inclusion of those unpowered vehicles in the regulation.