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The Polish Presidency has recently resumed negotiations in the Council on the revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive. While reaching a general approach before the end of June seems unlikely, it sends the right signal to finally address pressing issues for the European road freight transport sector.

CLECAT maintains that the fragmentation of the market, due to varying national and bilateral rules on maximum weights and dimensions is one of the primary concerns of the sector. This patchwork of regulations creates inefficiencies and hinders the seamless operation of cross-border transport. As already stated in our position paper, we call for the cross-border movement of 44-tonne trucks between countries allowing them at national level, to reduce such inefficiencies. Freight forwarders also consider that cross-border movements of 44-tonne fossil fuel trucks should still be allowed after 31^st December 2034, as there are still uncertainties regarding the deployment of zero-emission vehicles and corresponding infrastructure in time.

In addition, CLECAT calls on Member States to allow cross-border movements of EMS vehicles between countries allowing their circulation at national level. Research studies on the use of EMS dismiss concerns related to reverse modal shift and reduced road safety. Evidence from logistics operators that have made use of EMS suggests that such vehicles have not substituted rail or inland waterway travel but rather led to the replacement of conventional 40-tonne trucks, leading to less trucks on the road for the same amount of cargo transported.

Finally, as the current Directive does not adequately support the transition to zero-emission vehicles, CLECAT supports amendments that would allow for extra length and weight to accommodate zero-emission technologies and remain competitive against conventional vehicles, thereby incentivising their adoption.