Newsletters

The CLECAT Road Logistics Institute met on 22 March to exchange views on developments affecting road transport and logistics at national and EU level. Members discussed the impact of the war in Ukraine on road transport, the practical implementation of the new rules introduced by the Mobility Package I and the political developments related to the Fit for 55 Package.

Members received an update on the initiatives taken by the EU and national governments to ensure the supply of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, and to alleviate the impact of high energy prices for European businesses.

Members discussed the two sets of questions and answers published by DG MOVE on the new cabotage rules and on the manual recording of border crossings in tachographs. These long-awaited Q&As were welcomed as they provide clarification on the new provisions that entered into force on 21 February but unfortunately still allow for different national implementation.  CLECAT therefore urges Member States to ensure that the rules are transposed shortly and that the information to freight forwarders, operators and drivers is accessible, structured, and available in several EU languages.

Members also received an update on the political developments related to the AFIR proposal and the EU ETS for road transport. An assessment of MEP Ismail Ertug’s draft report on AFIR was conducted, and members welcomed the strengthened requirements on the charging and refuelling infrastructure for heavy-duty vehicles. CLECAT regrets that the Rapporteur proposes to delete the targets on LNG refuelling stations for HDVs. CLECAT considers that it is essential that that bio-CNG and bio-LNG can be used at least as bridging technologies until zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles are commercially available at scale for long-distance transport. Last week, CLECAT called on MEPs of the TRAN committee to strengthen the provisions on the AFIR proposal.