ECTA CALLS FOR STRONGER EU ACTION TO ACCELERATE ZET UPTAKE
The European Clean Trucking Alliance (ECTA) has published a policy paper, outlining recommendations to accelerate the decarbonisation of European road freight transport. The paper stresses that stable regulatory frameworks, predictable investment conditions, and effective supporting measures are essential to make zero-emission trucks (ZETs) more accessible and economically viable for transport operators.
ECTA calls on EU policymakers to maintain the general ambition of CO₂ emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), accelerate the deployment of public and depot charging infrastructure, and ensure more favourable operating conditions for ZETs. Key recommendations include extending road toll exemptions until 2031, finalising the revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive to compensate for the additional weight of zero-emission technologies, and maintaining the ambition of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). The Alliance also advocates faster grid connections, greater support for depot charging, predictable implementation of ETS2 in 2028, and dedicated financing instruments to facilitate investments, particularly for SMEs.
An ECTA member, CLECAT supports the Alliance’s efforts to accelerate the transition to zero-emission road freight, while emphasising the importance of technological flexibility, economic feasibility, and adequate enabling conditions. Like ECTA, CLECAT advocates for sufficient charging infrastructure and grid capacity, affordable energy, and targeted financial incentives to ensure that decarbonisation objectives can be achieved without undermining the competitiveness of European transport and logistics operators.