{"id":142440,"date":"2023-10-18T03:00:50","date_gmt":"2023-10-18T01:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cde.ual.es\/?p=142440"},"modified":"2023-10-17T10:51:36","modified_gmt":"2023-10-17T08:51:36","slug":"council-agrees-to-tighten-co2-emission-standards-for-heavy-duty-vehicles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cde.ual.es\/en\/council-agrees-to-tighten-co2-emission-standards-for-heavy-duty-vehicles\/","title":{"rendered":"Council agrees to tighten CO2 emission standards for heavy duty vehicles"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Council has reached an agreement (‘general approach’) on a proposal to update and strengthen the regulation on CO2<\/sub>\u00a0emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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The aim of the proposal is to further reduce CO\u2082 emissions in the road transport sector and to introduce new targets for 2030, 2035 and 2040. The new rules will contribute to the EU achieving its ambitions to fight climate change.<\/p>\n

The proposal also aims to encourage an increasing share of zero-emission vehicles in the EU-wide heavy-duty vehicle fleet, while ensuring that innovation in the sector and its competitiveness are preserved and enhanced.<\/p>\n

The general approach will serve as a mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament on the final shape of the legislation.<\/p>\n

Main changes agreed by the Council<\/span><\/h6>\n

The Council\u2019s text strikes a balance between keeping the Commission proposal’s main ambition to reduce the climate impact of the heavy-duty vehicle sector and allowing member states some flexibility in the implementation of the amended regulation, while strengthening innovation and reinforcing the EU\u2019s competitiveness in the sector.<\/p>\n

Scope of the regulation<\/span><\/h6>\n

The proposal expands the scope of the regulation to make almost all new heavy-duty vehicles with certified CO\u2082 emissions \u2013 including smaller trucks, urban buses, coaches and trailers \u2013 subject to emission reduction targets.<\/p>\n

An exemption from the CO\u2082 reduction targets set in the regulation will apply to small-volume manufacturers and to vehicles used for mining, forestry and agriculture; to vehicles for use by the armed forces and fire services; to vehicles for use in civil protection, public order and medical care; and to vocational vehicles such as garbage trucks.<\/p>\n

Member states amended the definition of ‘zero-emission heavy-duty vehicle’ by further lowering the proposed threshold, which still covers hydrogen-fuelled vehicles. Furthermore, member states added a sub-group of vehicles to include extra heavy combination (EHC) lorries in order to take better account of their characteristics, including with regard to their energy efficiency.<\/p>\n

New targets<\/span><\/h6>\n

In line with the EU\u2019s climate objectives for 2030 and beyond, the Council maintained the targets set by the Commission. Besides the 2025 CO2<\/sub>\u00a0emissions reduction target of 15% which was already provided for, the new rules introduce new targets:<\/p>\n