CLECAT Welcomes Proposal on HDV CO2 Standards which will Boost Efficient Logistics in Europe
CLECAT welcomes the proposed Regulation on CO2 emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles, published by the European Commission on 17 May as part of the third Mobility Package.
The Commission proposal would set emissions targets for heavy-duty vehicles based on a two-phased approach, namely 15% by 2025 and 30% by 2030, compared to 2019. This is the first year for which officially monitored CO2 emissions data will be available for heavy-duty vehicles, based on the VECTO tool, which CLECAT has long supported. Furthermore, manufacturers would receive specific emission targets on an annual basis from 2025, in order to reach the overall targets for 2025 and 2030.
CLECAT believes that the proposed Regulation is an important step towards improving the emissions performance and efficiency of the logistics system, by standardising and increasing the uptake of technologies which reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Furthermore, it will increase the competitiveness of European transport and logistics by driving down fuel costs and maintaining the technological leadership of the European transport industry. The two-step approach in the proposal, as well as the flexible mechanisms to incentivise low- and zero-emissions vehicles, appear to be a reasonable approach to driving innovation while avoiding punitive measures which would damage competitiveness.
Nicolette van der Jagt, Director General of CLECAT, said “CLECAT has long supported transparency of information on the CO2 performance of heavy-duty vehicles, obtained using the VECTO tool, as a driver of innovation in logistics. The new proposal from the European Commission is a logical manifestation of this notion, by opening the door to the widespread adoption of technologies which will improve vehicles’ fuel and emissions performance, driving down costs in the industry and contributing to an efficient, low-carbon logistics system”.
As the architects of an efficient logistics network, freight forwarders have a clear interest in measuring and reducing the emissions and fuel consumption of their operations. For this reason, CLECAT is a member of the Global Logistics Emissions Council, which has developed the first harmonised framework for logistics emissions calculation, and the LEARN project, which is examining how to apply and improve emissions accounting and reduction in logistics.
CLECAT therefore sees the new proposed Regulation as a necessary partner to these efforts, as it will incentivise actions to improve the emissions performance of vehicles and their operations, based on clear, transparent and accurate data. This in turn will enable innovation for a modern, efficient logistics system.
CLECAT will continue to review the proposals in more detail and looks forward to discussions with the Council and the European Parliament, in order to see the swift adoption of a Regulation which will drive innovation and emissions reduction, based on a realistic and ambitious framework which will boost European competitiveness.