It is the first time CO2 standards for trucks have been set in the EU, and was passed yesterday (14 November) by 373 votes to 285. The MEPs have adopted a higher target than that proposed by the European Commission (30%).
Truck manufacturers will also have to ensure that zero- and low-emission vehicles represent 5% of their sales by 2025, increasing to 20% of sales by 2030.
ACEA, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association representing the EU’s seven major truck manufacturers, has criticised the new CO2 targets, calling them “excessively aggressive”.
“These targets go over and above the proposal made by the European Commission last May, which was already very challenging,” said Erik Jonnaert (pictured), ACEA secretary general.
The intermediate target of 20% by 2025 would require manufacturers to fit new technologies to vehicles already in development, he added: “The short lead time simply doesn’t match the long development cycles for trucks.”
ACEA supports an incentive-based system to boost the proportion of low- and zero-emission truck sales, but the plans voted in by MEPs propose penalising manufacturers that do not meet the mandatory quota.
“MEPs seem to be blatantly ignoring the fact that the potential for electrifying the truck fleet is far lower than for cars, due to issues such as extremely high upfront costs, range limitations, insufficient infrastructure – particularly along motorways – as well as reluctant customers,” said Jonnaert.
“What we are calling for is a well-balanced regulation which encourages, supports and accelerates the technological shift towards low- and zero-emission powertrains, without jeopardising the industry’s competitiveness.”