To control the climate emissions from trucks and buses, which are responsible for 28% of the climate emissions from road transport in Europe, the European Commission is proposing to revise CO2 emission requirements for new heavy-duty vehicles. Zero-emission vehicles, such as battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles, are the only technology that can completely decarbonize the heavy-duty industry over the long run and help us reach climate neutrality by 2050
At first glance, a CO2 goal of -90 percent could appear to be sufficient for complete decarbonization. Yet because of a variety of flaws, the approach will only cut HDV emissions by 56% until 2050. (against 1990 levels). This undermines both the EU’s climate goals and Europe’s attempt to maintain its industrial leadership in the field. Notwithstanding the fact that the Commission’s proposal differs from the present law in a number of important ways, it nevertheless falls short in four crucial areas.
The Commission’s plan halts at a 2040 CO2 reduction objective of -90% rather than advancing a 100% zero-emission aim. According to T&E study, the proposed reduction in HDV emissions in 2050 would only be 56%. Conversely, establishing a 100% zero-emission objective in 2035 for commercial trucks, buses, and coaches, as well as in 2040 for non-certified and vocational vehicles, would result in a 94% reduction in the sector’s GHG emissions by 2050.
The Commission’s proposal raises the worldwide CO2 target for trucks, buses, and coaches from the present -30% to -45% in 2030, although this is still much below what is required to quickly boost the supply of clean trucks and buses. An expanded worldwide CO2 target of -65% in 2030, according to T&E research, would only lead to 8% more zero-emission vehicles on European roads than what truck manufacturers have already officially committed to build through 2030.
Small trucks, so-called “vocational” and “non-certified” vehicles, as well as small trucks in general, are still excluded from the plan. This implies that none of the climatic emissions from vehicles that go through our cities on a daily basis, such as delivery, garbage, and construction trucks, are controlled. Combined, these exempted cars account for 12% of fleet emissions and over 20% of HDV sales.
Contrary to the CO2 criteria for cars and vans, internal combustion trucks that only use hydrogen are now included in the definition of a zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) under the HDV CO2 regulations. Nevertheless, the Commission’s proposal modifies this definition to include hydrogen dual-fuel engines that operate partially on diesel as zero-emission vehicles.
