EU: ENVI Committee proposes more stringent CO₂ targets for heavy-duty vehicles

19 October 2018

The Environment Committee (ENVI) of the European Parliament adopted a report on CO₂ emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles (HDV) that recommends more stringent CO₂ targets than the original proposal by the European Commission.

The targets for average CO₂ emission reductions (relative to 2019) proposed by the ENVI Committee are 20% by 2025, and 35% by 2030. The respective targets in the Commission proposal are 15% and 30%. The targets would be subject to review in 2022.

Manufacturers would also have to ensure that zero- and low-emission vehicles (ZLEV) represent a 5% market share of the sales of new HDVs in 2025, and 20% in 2030. ZLEVs are vehicles that emit 35% less CO₂ than a reference value for a given vehicle category.

ENVI MEPs added urban buses to the scope of the proposal, and proposed that 50% of new buses should be electric from 2025 and 75% should be electric by 2030. Zero-emission buses are already available on the market and their use is encouraged through measures to increase demand such as public procurement, said the MEPs.

The ENVI report also calls for real-world CO₂ emission testing, and for a lifecycle emission assessment:

• Before 2020, the European Commission should come up with plans for a real-world CO₂ emissions test for on-road emissions. Third party independent testing of vehicles in use and on road should also be introduced.
• In its 2022 report, the Commission should work on a possible assessment of the full life-cycle of CO₂ emissions produced by heavy-duty vehicles, and propose, if necessary, reporting obligations for manufacturers.

The proposed targets, if adopted, would represent a very disruptive change for the automotive industry and other sectors of the economy. The MEPs acknowledged that a socially-acceptable and just transition towards zero-emission mobility requires changes throughout the automotive value chain, with possible negative social impacts. The EU should therefore promote workers in the sector learning new skills and reallocating, particularly in regions and communities most affected by the transition. The MEPs also advocated support for European battery manufacturing.

The full Parliament is to vote on the report during November’s plenary session in Strasbourg.

Source: European Parliament