European Council signs off on stricter CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles

The European Council has formally adopted the regulation on CO₂ emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles, amending and strengthening the existing EU rules. The updated rules will further reduce CO₂ emissions from road transport and will introduce new targets for 2030, 2035 and 2040, respectively. The revision is an integral part of the Fit for 55 legislative package, contributing to the EU’s aim of reducing its net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, and to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.

The new rules maintain the existing 2025 target currently set at a 15% emissions reduction for heavy lorries weighing over 16t. In line with the EU’s climate objectives, the regulation further establishes the following new targets:

• a 45% emissions reduction from 2030 (increased from 30%)
• a 65% emissions reduction from 2035
• a 90% emissions reduction from 2040

These targets will apply to medium lorries, heavy trucks weighing over 7.5t and coaches, as well as to corresponding vocational vehicles from 2035 onwards.

The new regulation will have a significant impact on urban freight and mobility as the rules introduce a 100% zero-emission target for new urban buses by 2035, with an intermediate target of 90% for this category by 2030. Inter-urban buses will be exempt from this target, as they will be regarded as coaches for the purpose of measuring emissions reduction. 

These more robust standards for CO₂ emissions will help increase the share of zero-emission vehicles in the heavy-duty vehicle fleet across the EU, while ensuring that innovation in and the competitiveness of the sector are preserved and enhanced.