07 January 2022

EC LAUNCHES PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON REVISED CO2 STANDARDS FOR TRUCKS

The European Commission opened on 20 December the public consultation on the revision of the CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles. As announced in the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, the Commission will review this legislation and will set more ambitious emission-reduction targets for such vehicles. The current CO2 standards (Regulation 2019/1242) for HDVs set average CO2 emission reduction targets for new heavy lorries (above 16 tonnes) of 15% by 2025, which become more stringent as from 2030 (-30%) compared to 2020.

In order to reduce CO2 emission from HDVs cost effectively and with the aim of contributing to the ambitious 2030 and 2050 EU climate objectives, the impact assessment will explore a variety of options on various provisions of the HDV Regulation, including:

  • the stringency of the CO2 emission targets (targets and timing);
  • the possible extension of the scope of the Regulation to other heavy-duty vehicles;
  • the nature and appropriateness of a mechanism to provide incentives for zero- and low-emission vehicles;
  • the appropriateness of a new mechanism to take into account the potential contribution of renewable and low-carbon fuel when determining manufacturers’ compliance with their targets;
  • other options to support cost-effective implementation of the standards, such as pooling and exemptions for small-volume manufacturers; and
  • the possibility to assign the revenues from any fines to a specific fund or programme to ensure a just transition for the people and regions most affected by the changes involved in the transition towards climate neutrality.

The public consultation is open until 14 March 2022, and is accessible via this link. The Commission is expected to adopt the proposal on the revision of the CO2 standards for HDVs at the end of 2022.