European Commission proposes stricter CO2 emission limits for heavy-duty vehicles

The European Commission proposes more ambitious carbon dioxide emission limits for new heavy-duty vehicles placed on the market in the EU. The Commission published its proposal for amending the Regulation on CO2 performance standards for heavy-duty vehicles on 14 February 2023. The Regulation will lead the industry towards the manufacture and sale of zero-emission vehicles, i.e. fully electric and hydrogen vehicles.

Commission proposes more ambitious emission reductions

In the Regulation, the performance standards that are binding on vehicle manufacturers have been set so that they are calculated on the basis of the level in 2019. According to the Commission's proposal, emissions of new heavy-duty vehicles registered for the first time in the EU should be, on average, 45% lower in 2030. The present target is to reduce emissions by 30%.

The Commission also proposes new targets for the more distant future. Emissions should be reduced by 65% by 2035 and 90% by 2040.

In the present Regulation, the targets only apply to heavy-duty commercial vehicles. In the Commission's proposal the scope of application of the Regulation would be extended to also cover city buses, new groups of lorries and trailers.

In addition, the Commission proposes that new city buses should be zero-emission as from 2030.

Aim to increase numbers of low-emission vehicles

The aim of the new legislation is that vehicle manufacturers would improve the energy efficiency of vehicles and that more zero-emission and low-emission vehicles would enter the market.

Finland has worked to influence the Commission before the proposal for the Regulation was published. In preliminary discussions, Finland has advocated the use of biogas in heavy-duty transport.

What's next?

The Ministry of Transport and Communications will examine the Commission's proposal carefully and inform Parliament of it. Finland will formulate its position on the Commission's proposal and the relevant stakeholders will be consulted as part of this process.

Negotiations on the CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles will begin in spring 2023 in the Council of the EU Working Party on the Environment and, at the same time, in the European Parliament.

Inquiries

Sara Österberg, Senior Officer, tel. +358 50 571 5019, [email protected]