The Commission says such heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) are responsible for around a quarter of CO2 emissions from road transport in the EU. Without action, HDV emissions in 2030-2050 are projected to remain close to current, unsustainable levels.

The strategy focuses on short-term action to certify, report and monitor HDV emissions. This is an essential first step towards curbing emissions, where comparability among HDVs has so far been difficult largely due to the considerable variety of models and sizes of trucks available, which are highly customised to market needs and produced in much smaller quantities than cars and vans.

The Commission has developed a computer simulation tool, VECTO, to measure CO2 emissions from new vehicles. With the support of this tool the Commission intends to bring forward proposals for legislation next year which would require CO2 emissions from new HDVs to be certified, reported and monitored.

It added that when this legislation is in force the Commission may consider further measures to curb CO2 emissions from HDVs, with the most apparent option is to set mandatory limits on average CO2 emissions from newly-registered HDVs, as is already done for cars and vans. Other options could include the development of modern infrastructure supporting alternative fuels for HDVs, smarter pricing on infrastructure usage, effective and coherent use of vehicle taxation by Member States and other market-based mechanisms. An impact assessment will be done to identify the most cost-effective option or options.

Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard said: ‘We first regulated cars and vans, and we can now see the results: emissions have been reduced, air pollution in cities is in decline, and more innovative, fuel-efficient vehicles are now available to consumers. That is why we turn now to trucks and buses. This strategy outlines new measures which over time will cut CO2 emissions of these vehicles, save operators money and make the EU less dependent on imported oil.’

Sustainable transport group, Transport & Environment has welcomed the strategy, but has called for swift, concrete action to address the problem of rising lorry CO2, pointing out that in the US, the Obama administration introduced fuel economy regulations for lorries in 2011 and is currently planning a second round of standards for the post-2020 period. 

William Todts, senior policy officer at Transport & Environment, said: ‘Lorry fuel efficiency has remained stagnant for 20 years, but while the US has quickly set standards for American trucks to improve their fuel economy, Europe is just treading water. Fuel economy standards will slash fuel bills, reduce oil and diesel imports and cut climate-changing emissions.  

‘Fuel economy standards are already delivering lower fuel bills for car and van drivers. It’s time for the Commission to stop strategizing and finally introduce robust standards for Europe’s lorries as well, ‘ Todts concluded.