29.9.2023
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
C 349/137
2.10.
Commercial road transport is the nervous system of the EU economy value chain.
Road transport accounts for a large share of the EU’s GDP (gross domestic product) and employs over 3,4 million people EU-wide (13).
Challenges to the sector include making transport safer and more secure while preserving the efficiency of the single market, and improving working conditions in the sector and the transport environment as a whole. 2.11.
Recent developments in the geopolitical landscape have focused attention on the need to ensure the resilience of the EU logistic supply chain, even in the most dramatic situations.
Increased energy costs and dependencies on energy and raw materials — coupled with the aggressive protectionist strategies of some key international players — have been threatening the EU economic system and the welfare of its citizens.
The EU commercial road transport system needs to remain competitive, affordable, and fully operational, even in the most critical circumstances.
The regulatory framework should ensure this.
3.
The proposal for a regulation 3.1.
The proposal is meant to replace the HDV CO2 Standards Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 (14) of 2019.
Despite the fact that an evaluation of the results of the Regulation currently in place is not possible, the Commission believes it necessary to contribute to the objectives of the European Green Deal and the European Climate Law.
It sets new binding CO2 targets applicable from 2025. 3.2.
The proposal covers trucks (over 5 tonnes), city buses and long-distance buses (over 7,5 tonnes), as well as trailers (an unpowered vehicle towed by a motor vehicle).
While this is an important expansion of the scope of the regulation, a regulatory gap regarding the CO2 regulation of cars and light commercial vehicles (trucks between 3,5 and 5 tonnes) remains. 3.3.
The Commission is proposing new and more ambitious CO2 emission targets for new HDVs from 2030 to deliver on the above objectives.
Under the proposal, on average and compared to 1990 levels, CO2 emissions would reduce by: — 45 % from 1 January 2030; — 65 % from 1 January 2035; and — 90 % from 1 January 2040.
3.4.
New city buses in the EU will all have to be zero-emission (100 % share of zero-emission vehicles) as of 2030.
3.5.
An exemption to the CO2 reduction targets will apply to the following HDVs:
— small volume manufacturers (up to 100 vehicles); — vehicles used for mining, forestry and agricultural purposes; — vehicles designed and constructed for use by armed forces and track-laying vehicles; — vehicles designed and constructed or adapted for use by civil protection services, fire services, and forces responsible for maintaining public order or urgent medical care; — vocational vehicles, such as garbage trucks. 3.6.
Unlike the CO2 standards for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, the Commission proposal for HDV views hydrogen internal combustion vehicles (alongside other currently available alternative technologies as battery electric vehicles or hydrogen fuel cells) as a zero-tailpipe-emission option.
(13) (14)
Eurostat, 2014 Labour Force Survey data.
Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 setting CO2 emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles and amending Regulations (EC) No 595/2009 and (EU) 2018/956 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Directive 96/53/EC (OJ L 198, 25.7.2019, p. 202).