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In its response to the European Commission’s public consultation on the Future of the European Automotive Industry, CLECAT has emphasised that the forthcoming European Automotive Industry Action Plan must take a broader approach to address the needs of transport operators and service providers. The plan must go beyond vehicle production and sales to ensure that the entire road freight ecosystem - ranging from charging and refuelling infrastructure to advanced vehicle technologies -supports the seamless deployment of cleaner and more efficient vehicles.

The consultation, launched in early February, aims to develop a comprehensive Action plan to address the significant structural shifts faced by the industry., driven by technological changes and competitive forces including digitalisation, decarbonisation, new competitors and a changing geopolitical context.

CLECAT recognises the multifaceted challenges faced by the automotive industry, particularly in relation to the clean transition, decarbonisation, competitiveness and resilience. The forthcoming European Automotive Industry Action Plan must also consider the specific requirements and expectations of transport operators, which operate commercial vehicles such as vans and trucks.

CLECAT underscores the need for flexible incentive mechanisms to drive the adoption of all zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) without jeopardising the competitiveness of the transport and logistics sector. A targeted support strategy must be in place for the entire ZEV ecosystem, covering not only vehicles but also crucial enabling infrastructure, such as charging and refuelling networks, sustainable electricity production, energy storage solutions, and advanced vehicle technologies. CLECAT’s position paper on the Clean Corporate Fleets initiative further elaborates on demand-side measures for accelerating the transition to zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), while cautioning against the imposition of ZEV fleet renewal targets on transport operators, as these would be ineffective in achieving meaningful emissions reductions.

Moreover, bridging technologies should play a key role in supporting the transition to decarbonised road transport in the short term. While zero-emission technologies will dominate in the long run, immediate emissions reductions must be supported through a combination of innovative solutions, including electrification, energy-efficiency improvements, and the use of biofuels, e-fuels, and other renewable fuels. To enable this transition, the Action Plan must include strong incentivisation measures, such as proportional subsidies, tax reductions, operational cost reliefs, and other financial incentives.