EC sets out strategy to curb CO2 emissions from trucks, buses and coaches
22 May 2014 12:39 PM
Trucks, buses &
coaches would use less fuel and emit lower amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2)
under a strategy adopted by the European Commission. 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.
Climate Action Commissioner
Connie Hedegaard said "Today we are taking the next steps to curb
emissions from road transport. 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."
Focus on short-term
action
While CO2 emissions from
new cars and vans are being successfully reduced under recent EU legislation,
the recent strategy1 is the first to address emissions
from HDVs.
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. This will contribute to a
more transparent and competitive market and the adoption of the most
energy-efficient technologies.
Further measures possible in
medium term
When this legislation is in
force the Commission may consider further measures to curb CO2 emissions
from HDVs. 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.
Studies carried out while
preparing the strategy suggest that state-of-the art technologies can achieve
cost-effective reductions in CO2 emissions from new HDVs of at least
30%.
Background
HDV emissions represent about a
quarter of road transport emissions and 5% of total EU greenhouse gas
emissions.
The Impact Assessment that
underpins the HDV Strategy shows that CO2 emissions from HDV transport
grew by some 36% between 1990 and 2010.
Projections based on a ‘no
policy change’ scenario imply that in 2030-2050 total EU HDV emissions
would remain close to current levels, and thus around 35% higher than in 1990.
This is clearly incompatible with the objective of reducing greenhouse gas
emissions from transport by around 60% of 1990 levels by 2050, as set out in
the Commission’s 2011 Transport White Paper and Roadmap for moving to a
competitive low carbon economy in 2050.
Next steps
The strategy is addressed to the
European Parliament and the Council, which are invited to endorse it and help
deliver the actions outlined.
Further
information:
DG Climate Action web page on heavy-duty
vehicles
See also MEMO/14/366 (Q&A)