First introduced in 2019, and then revised in 2024, the EU CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) set specific emissions reduction targets for manufacturers selling HDVs in the EU. Most trucks need to lower emissions by 43% by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. A 64% reduction target applies for 2035, increasing to 90% by 2040.
European truckmakers are calling on the European Commission to bring forward the review of the COâ‚‚ standards for HDVs to 2026 rather than 2027 as set out in the legislation adopted in 2024. They argue that the required enabling conditions in the EU are not in place to generate sufficient demand for zero-emission trucks (ZETs) that Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) need to sell to meet their 2030 COâ‚‚ targets.
We debunk some of the arguments made by the European trucking industry and explain why an early review of the HDV CO₂ standards is not justified, would endanger the EU competitiveness and prolong Europe’s dependency on oil imports.
