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CLECAT joined a panel debate today co-organised by ACEA and Euractiv addressing the challenges and opportunities in transitioning to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in the heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) sector. The panel featured Harald Seidel, President of DAF Trucks and Chairperson of the ACEA Commercial Vehicle Board and Kristian Schmidt, Director for Land Transport at DG MOVE.

In his keynote address, Harald Seidel emphasised that "operators buy with a calculator," underscoring that price remains a decisive factor in adopting new technologies. He highlighted that electrifying the HDV sector must be a collaborative effort, calling for coordinated actions from various industry stakeholders and regulators to stimulate demand for ZEVs. Seidel underlined the importance of balancing ambitious environmental goals with the economic realities faced by transport operators.

Kristian Schmidt echoed these concerns, noting that the European Commission is working on an "order book action plan" to strengthen ZEV adoption. He highlighted that the regulatory framework already provides crucial elements such as mandatory emission reduction targets, a revised Weights and Dimensions Directive, the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, and the pricing of carbon emissions under the ETS Road scheme. In addition, the Social Climate Fund is designed to help operators in this transition. However, Schmidt acknowledged that grid capacity remains a critical challenge and emphasised the importance of sufficient funding to enable corporate fleets to invest in charging and refuelling infrastructure.

Representatives from Scania and Daimler Truck reiterated the industry’s commitment to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, with a target of going fossil-free by 2040. They highlighted significant investments in battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, while stressing the need for enabling conditions to ensure these technologies are adopted at scale. Scania emphasised that permitting policies, which are currently too slow, need to be streamlined to support the rapid deployment of charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. The industry called for long-term planning, regulatory stability, and supportive measures to provide transport operators with the confidence to make critical investments.

Kristian Schmidt also addressed the issue of access to critical materials, identifying this as a trade policy challenge. He stressed that ensuring the competitiveness of Europe’s HDV industry requires a cohesive approach that aligns transport, industrial, and trade policies. He noted that the development of an Automotive Industrial Action Plan will be essential.

The panel concluded with a shared understanding that achieving a zero-emission future for the HDV sector requires collective action. Policymakers and industry stakeholders must work together to address infrastructure gaps, streamline permitting processes, and create a stable regulatory environment that encourages investment in ZEVs. For freight forwarders, this transition represents both an opportunity and a challenge. CLECAT will continue to advocate for policies that support the sector in aligning with Europe’s climate goals while ensuring operational and economic viability.