On 13 June 2019, the Council of the European Union adopted a new Regulationsetting CO2 emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles. The Commission presented the proposal on the Regulation in May 2018, on which the European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement on 19 February 2019.

CO2 emissions from heavy-duty vehicles including lorries, buses and coaches, represent around 6% of total CO2 emissions in the EU and 27% of total road transport CO2 emissions. In June 2018, the Council adopted monitoring and reporting rules of CO2 emissions as well as fuel consumption of new heavy-duty vehicles.

The adopted rules establish that between 2025 and 2029, new trucks will emit on average 15% less CO2 compared to 2019 emission levels. From 2030 onwards, they will be required to emit on average 30% less CO2. In case of non-compliance with these targets, truck manufacturers will have to pay a financial penalty in the form of an excess emissions premium. The new Regulation also includes specific measures that will ensure the availability of robust and reliable data, obtained through on-board devices which monitor the actual fuel and energy consumption of heavy-duty vehicles.

The new rules are added to those adopted on the same day on zero- and low-emission vehicles in public procurement, aimed at the promotion of clean and energy-efficient road transport vehicles.

Sara Capruzzi