Pollution from trucks: the EU sets a 30% reduction by 2030

The governments of the European Union have adopted on Thursday the regulation that sets a target of reducing pollutant emissions from new trucks of 30% from 2030, with an intermediate target of 15% in 2025, compared to the levels registered in 2019.

The new legislation has finally been adopted with the approval of the Twenty-eight, after the European Parliament gave ‘green light’ to these objectives in a vote held in mid-April.

It is the first time that the EU has set a target to cut carbon dioxide (_CO2) emissions for this type of vehicle. In addition, it is a binding target, so that truck manufacturers who fail to comply with it will have to face a financial penalty.

The new regulation also obliges manufacturers to ensure by 2025 that sales of heavy-duty vehicles with zero or low emissions represent at least 2% of their market share.

In the same way, the European Commission will have to propose 2022 new objectives for the next decade, in line with the commitments made in the Paris Agreement.

27% of total transport

Emissions from heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks, buses and coaches account for 6% of the EU bloc’s total carbon dioxide (_CO2) emissions and 27% of emissions from the transport sector.

“These new rules represent a crucial step towards decarbonising and modernising road transport in Europe. This will benefit citizens, help us protect the environment and achieve our climate objectives and support the long-term competitiveness of the transport sector,” said Gratiela Leocadia Gavrilescu, Romania’s Environment Minister, who holds the EU presidency until the end of the month.

Source: El Economista