Commercial, Distributed Energy Resources, GHG Emissions - October 18, 2023
EU Council Approves New Rules for Emission Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles
The European Council reached an agreement ("general approach") on a proposal to update and strengthen the regulation on CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles.
The goal of the proposal is to further lower CO₂ 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.
The proposal also aims to encourage an increasing share of zero-emission vehicles in the EU-wide heavy-duty vehicle fleet.
"With today’s agreement we have reaffirmed our commitment to reach our ambitious climate targets,” said Teresa Ribera Rodríguez, Spanish acting third vice-president of the government and minister for the ecological transition and the demographic challenge, in a statement. “Lorries, buses and coaches are an important part of road transportation, affecting the daily lives of millions of citizens. Citizens deserve to live in a greener and healthier environment, and we are now a step closer towards this objective. At the same time, we are ensuring the competitiveness of the industry, by clarifying the roadmap for new investments."
Besides the 2025 CO2 emissions reduction target of 15%, which was already provided for, the new rules introduce new targets:
- 45% emissions reduction from 2030 (increased from 30%)
- 65% emissions reduction from 2035
- 90% emissions reduction from 2040
The general approach will serve as the Council’s mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament on the final shape of the legislation. The outcome of the negotiations will have to be formally adopted by the Council and the Parliament.
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