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In view of climate change, the EU has now adopted new fuel consumption standards for local passenger transport such as buses and trucks. Currently, heavy commercial vehicles are still responsible for more than a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions from road transport in the EU. The previously applicable standards have been amended or tightened and new climate targets have been set. The EU has set itself new climate targets for 2030, 2035 and 2040, which are to be achieved at 5-years intervals. As part of this, the EU has set itself percentages to be achieved. CO2 emissions from trucks over 7.5 tons and coaches are to be reduced by 45% by 2030, 60% by 2035 and even 90% by 2040. However, a different regulation is to apply to buses in urban traffic. They should be completely emission-free by 2035, meaning that the 90% value can start much earlier. The revised law may be formulated in a way that is open to technology, but it does not apply to any known alternatives to electric drives, so sooner or later it will lead to a complete replacement with electric vehicles. The focus is therefore entirely on battery or hydrogen-powered vehicles. This adjustment is based on the same approach as in 2019. In 2019, the first CO2 emission standards for heavy commercial vehicles were developed. A further interim review is planned for 2027 to record the developments and correct the values again if necessary. The Council of Ministers aims to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. In the best case scenario, climate neutrality should be achieved by 2050.

Source: Pixabay/bus-22114_1280