European suppliers association, CLEPA says extremely tough new emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles unveiled by the European Commission (EC), will be “difficult to achieve.”
The European Parliament and the Council reached provisional agreement on a Regulation setting for the first time in the EU concerning tough CO2 emission standards for trucks.
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The deal follows the agreement reached in December on new CO2 emission standards for cars and light vans in the EU for the period after 2020.
In the agreement, emissions from new lorries will have to be 15% lower by 2025 and 30% lower in 2030 compared to 2019 emissions.
“European trucks are already the most efficient in the world,” said CLEPA secretary general, Sigrid De Vries. “While transport of goods has increased by over a third since 1995, emissions have barely risen.
“This shows how much pressure the market already exerts towards more efficient vehicles. It will be difficult to achieve the targets at this highly-challenging level for all actors involved.
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By GlobalData“Automotive suppliers are committed to contributing to meet the obligations under the Paris agreement. For the regulation to efficiently achieve emission reductions, an approach is necessary which looks not only at the efficiency of the vehicle tractors but also the trailers, as well as facilitating the deployment of low carbon synthetic fuel.”
CLEPA adds regulation on CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles is linked to VECTO, the tool for the simulation and certification of emissions of a vehicle. Only efficiency gains certified by VECTO can be calculated against the emission reduction targets.
Currently, the scope of VECTO is limited to the tractor and a limited number of drivetrain technologies. It is only once the tool is upgraded to take into account efficiency gains from hybridisation and more efficient components for trailers, that the associated potential to reduce emissions will be unlocked.
“A comprehensive, swift, and regular upgrade of VECTO will be a key criterion for success and bring the ambitious targets of the regulation closer within reach,” added De Vries. “The Commission is tasked to deliver.”
The agreement confirms, until 2025, the super credit system as a positive incentive for the deployment of zero- and low-emission vehicles, rewarding manufacturers starting from the very first zero- or low-emission vehicle placed on the market.
From 2025 onwards, a minimum sales quota of 2% for zero- and low-emission vehicles will replace of the super credit.
“Automotive suppliers support the principle choice for a positive incentive system to pull new technologies into the market,” added De Vries.
The Council and Parliament agreed on a differentiation of the definition of low-emission vehicles per vehicle sub-group. This is expected to facilitate the development of low-emission vehicles across the entire fleet. “It is important to push for the development of low-emission vehicles in long-haul transport. Given the high mileage in this segment, the potential for reduction of emissions is substantial,” said De Vries.
“Automotive suppliers have always supported the step forward to well-to-wheel or life-cycle analysis, which should help levelling the playing field for different drivetrain technologies and take into account emissions embedded in energy production.”
The European Parliament and Council will review and formally approve the agreement in the coming weeks. Further changes to the substance are not expected.
