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On 9 September, the European Parliament formally approved the urgent procedure for the targeted amendment to the Eurovignette Directive, extending the option for Member States to exempt zero-emission trucks from road charges until June 2031. Council’s Permanent Representatives Committee adopted the proposal without amendments on 10 September. The Parliament will finalise the adoption in Plenary on 7 October 2025, marking a significant milestone in supporting the decarbonisation of road freight transport.

CLECAT welcomed this progress, as the amendment aligns with its stance that financial and fiscal incentives are key to speeding up the transition to zero-emission vehicles. In line with our position paper, the extension of road charge exemptions delivers much-needed investment certainty for the freight sector. The reduction in operational costs for zero-emission trucks makes sustainable transport solutions more financially viable for operators throughout Europe.

This progress underscores the importance of coordinated EU policies that encourage, rather than enforce, the adoption of zero-emission vehicles. CLECAT continues to push for additional measures, including expanded charging infrastructure and dedicated funding programmes, to ensure a seamless and competitive transition for the logistics industry. At the same time, we call on the Commission to propose a more extensive review of the Eurovignette Directive, notably in view of the introduction of ETS 2 in 2027 and to better incentivise bridging technologies as proper solutions to the decarbonisation of the road freight sector.