Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) The European Commission has unveiled its proposal for a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions from new trucks placed on the market by 2040 and a series of intermediate targets for 2030 and 2035, with the aim of decarbonizing the sector.
The targets aim to help to reduce CO2 emissions in the transport sector – trucks, city buses, and long-distance buses are responsible for over 6% of total EU greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and more than 25% of GHG emissions from road transport.
The strengthened emissions standards would, says the EC, ensure that this segment of the road transport sector contributes to the shift to zero-emissions mobility and the EU’s climate and zero pollution objectives.
The Commission proposes phasing in stronger CO2 emissions standards for almost all new HDVs with certified CO2 emissions, compared to 2019 levels, specifically:
- 45% emissions reductions from 2030;
- 65% emission reductions from 2035;
- 90% emissions reduction from 2040.
To stimulate the faster deployment of zero-emission buses in cities, the Commission also proposes to make all new city buses zero-emission as of 2030.
Reacting, Yannick Jadot, a member of the European Parliament’s Environment committee, commented, “The European Commission’s proposal is bad news for all citizens, and it sends the wrong signal to manufacturers. With this proposal, the Commission is calling into question the objective of achieving carbon neutrality in 2050. By doing so they try to please the European right wing, which is trying, by all means, to hinder the effective implementation of the Green Deal.
“With this proposal, the European Commission is acknowledging the fact that trucks running on fossil fuels, especially diesel, can continue to drive on European roads after 2050. This is despite the fact that manufacturers are ready to commit to a more ambitious trajectory than the European Commission’s proposal.
“The European Parliament has just endorsed the end of internal combustion engines for new cars by 2035. This is good for the climate, but also for industry. Trucks must not be allowed to escape the climate requirements.
“The Commission also introduced a target to ensure that 100% of new urban buses are zero-emission by 2030, but unfortunately this target comes with some limited exemptions. There again, the lack of a clear signal to the market is deplorable. Moreover, it is regrettable that this decision is not accompanied by legislation to build a European clean bus industry.”
