The EP and the EU Council met to analyze not only possible projects for trucks and other large vehicles, but also envisaged the possibility of urban buses reaching similar goal by 2030 and reaching zero-emissions by 2035.

Heavy-duty vehicles account for 25% of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inherent in EU road transport, so the EU aspires for them to scale down CO2 emissions in a stepwise manner. A 45% decrease is being planned for 2030 and 65% by 2035 to reach the 90% goal set for 2040, the EU Council said in a statement.

Bas Eickhout, negotiator for the European Parliament, stressed that “the transition to zero-emission trucks and buses is not only key to meeting our climate targets, but also a pivotal driver for cleaner air in our cities”.

A great number of professional equipment, including garbage trucks, concrete mixers and buses, are covered by the provisional agreement adopted on Thursday, pending formal approval by both EU bodies.

According to the announcement, small manufacturers of vehicles used in mining, forestry, agriculture, the armed forces and the fire, civil protection, public order and medical services will be exempted.

pll/lam/mjm