In road transport, the energy transition is starting too slowly for the European Commission’s liking. In an effort to boost zero-emission trucks, Europe occasionally comes up with meaningful initiatives. The option given to Member States to apply a zero rate for kilometer charging until 30/06/2031 for emission-free trucks is a good example of this.
Every now and then Europe also dares to miss the ball completely. The European Commission’s intention to oblige companies with a large fleet (all companies with more than 10 vehicles are in the crosshairs) to purchase emission-free vans and trucks fits in with that list of unworldly ideas.
The Commission’s approach is at odds with free entrepreneurial choice. Instead of accelerating the energy transition, minimum quotas for zero-emission vehicles imposed from above will have the opposite effect. Companies will postpone their investments in new, expensive vehicles, which will lead to the obsolescence of existing company fleets with all the consequences this entails for the environment.
Companies with tight margins – almost all transport companies fall into that category – will get into financial trouble if they are obliged to purchase zero-emission trucks, which, as everyone knows, are on average 2.5 to 3 times more expensive to purchase than equivalent diesel trucks.
Last but not least, Europe does not take a number of essential preconditions into account at all. What can you, as a transport entrepreneur, possibly do with a zero-emission truck if you don’t have anyone in your customer base who is willing to pay extra for emission-free transport? And what if you specialize in international long-distance journeys? This is not possible with an e-truck due to the current operational bottlenecks.
I can understand that the energy transition in heavy transport is going too slow for Europe’s liking, but I remain of the opinion that incentives for carbon-free vehicles are a much more efficient lever than unrealistic minimum quotas that are haphazardly imposed from above. The carrot usually has more effect than the stick.
Together with the IRU, Febetra remains in close consultation with the EU institutions to ensure that the transition to emission-free road transport is not only feasible and affordable, but also fits seamlessly with operational reality.
Philippe Degraef,
Director Febetra.
