Mediaroom

The European Union took a significant step in June 2019 by implementing their initial set of CO2 emission performance standards for heavy-duty vehicles (HDV). These standards mandated manufacturers to achieve a 15% reduction in the average CO2 emissions of newly registered HDVs starting from 2025 and by 30% from 2030 onwards, compared to a baseline set in 2019/2020.

In addition to the EU’s ‘Fit for 55’ package of energy and climate legislation, the Commission presented a legislative proposal for revised HDV CO2 emission performance standards on 14 February 2023. The proposal includes expanding the scope to cover additional vehicle groups, setting a more ambitious CO2 reduction target for 2030, and introducing new targets for 2035 and 2040.

CLEPA, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, supports the introduction of CO2 emission standards for HDVs as part of the EU’s objectives to reach climate neutrality by 2050. The proposal is a step in the right direction towards achieving this objective but could be enhanced through consideration of initiatives, which we outline in our new position paper.