In a major move to boost environmental sustainability in road transport, the European Union has agreed on CO2 standards for trucks and buses, marking the complete phase-out of all diesel vehicles in transport by 2040.

The agreement stipulates that average carbon dioxide emissions from new trucks and buses sold in the EU must be reduced by 90% by 2040 compared to current levels. City buses are required to be completely emission-free five years before that deadline. The decision is in line with the proposal of the European Commission, which has banned cars with internal combustion engines from 2035.

For heavy vehicles, there will be a gradual tightening of CO2 standards, aiming for emissions to be 45% below the current average by the end of this decade and rising to 65% in 2035. City buses face an intermediate a 90% reduction target by 2030, with buses operating long-distance routes subject to lower emission limits.

This marks a new challenge for manufacturers, who will have to implement tough plans to ramp up production of electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles while also facing the big challenge of cheaper vehicles from China, both at the car and truck level. .

The European Federation for Transport and Environment estimates that EU targets will result in 30% of trucks sold in 2030 and over 75% in 2040 being either electric or hydrogen-based.

Representing car manufacturers, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) acknowledged the strict nature of the new EU standards, describing the implementation timetable as extremely difficult, while stressing the importance of key enabling conditions such as electric charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure, the pricing systems for carbon dioxide emissions and support measures for entities involved in the transport sector.