The European Council agreed this morning on a clear position on the development of the rules on weights and dimensions of trucks. The additional permitted mass for emission-free trucks is part of this, as is the permission to drive eco-kombis between Member States.
This agreement between Member States is the result of the excellent work done by the Danish Presidency of the European Union since 1 July and puts an end to two years of delay. The Council’s position primarily involves an increase in the maximum permitted weight for electric and hydrogen-powered truck combinations from two to four tons, but only when the tractor has three axles. The maximum length of these road combinations can also be increased by 90 centimeters. “This is a big step forward to promote emission-free road transport and send a strong signal to truck manufacturers who want to invest in clean trucks,” Transport & Environment said.
On the other hand, the Council considers that eco-combis should be authorized between two Member States that authorize their use on their national territory. Finally, the Council’s position allows zero-emission motor vehicles or vehicle combinations participating in intermodal transport to cross borders even if they exceed the maximum weight set in the directive and the weight on both sides of the border does not exceed the permitted weight.
This is therefore the position that the Council will defend before the Commission (which has certain reservations) and before Parliament in the context of the trialogue that can finally start.
