ACEA Advocates for Relaxation of EU Emission Standards for Trucks

The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) has called for a relaxation of the EU's emission standards for trucks, following recent concessions granted to passenger vehicle manufacturers regarding fleet emissions.

During a press conference in Brussels, representatives from ACEA highlighted the industry's struggles with the sales of electric and low-emission commercial vehicles. They are advocating for a delay in the implementation of stricter fleet emission targets, emphasizing the need for government support to boost demand for environmentally friendly commercial vehicles. The association expressed concerns about potential penalties amounting to billions of euros due to underperformance in sales of these vehicles, which are necessary to meet required quotas.

As of now, over 90% of newly registered trucks in the EU still rely on diesel engines. In the first quarter of 2025, only 3.5% of newly registered trucks were fully battery-electric or plug-in hybrids. In contrast, urban buses have seen a significant shift, with more than 35% of them being electric vehicles, according to ACEA.

Christian Levin, the CEO of Scania and chair of the ACEA's commercial vehicle committee, emphasized that the goal is not to undermine climate targets. He pointed out that, logistically, most transportation within the EU passes through Germany, making it crucial for the country to support the transition to low-emission or zero-emission vehicles. To facilitate this transition, he urged policymakers to significantly increase the cost of fossil fuels such as diesel. Additionally, he stressed the importance of establishing a reliable charging infrastructure for electric trucks.

The current CO2 regulations in the EU, which apply to car manufacturers, also need to be met by truck and bus manufacturers. These regulations stipulate a 45% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030 compared to 2019 levels, a 65% reduction by 2035, and a 90% reduction by 2040. ACEA has successfully negotiated extensions for car manufacturers to comply with these EU climate regulations.