CO2 emission class of heavy-duty vehicles with trailers

Background

Directive (EU) 2022/362 amending Directive 1999/62/EC addressed a number of socio-economic and environmental challenges, including climate change. It did so by enabling CO2 emission-based differentiation of road charges for heavy-duty vehicles as well as for light-duty vehicles in order to incentivise operators to deploy more efficient vehicles.

At the time of its adoption, a legal framework for the certification of the effect of trailers on the CO2 emissions of heavy goods vehicle combinations was not available yet. Therefore, trailers could not be included in the CO2 emission-based differentiation of road charges.

As a result, Recital 31 of Directive (EU) 2022/362 called for the Commission to include the effect of trailers and semi-trailers on the CO2 emissions of heavy goods vehicle combinations when determining the reduction of road charges once legally certified values for the effect of trailers and semi-trailers on the CO2 emissions of heavy goods vehicle combinations are available. The condition laid down in the recital was fulfilled by the adoption of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1362.

Trailers have a significant potential for reduction of CO2 emissions of heavy goods vehicle combinations and demand-oriented measure reducing operational costs of more energy-efficient trailers can incentivise their more rapid deployment. Therefore, the objective of the proposal is to set out the rules to include the effect of trailers on the CO2 emissions of heavy goods vehicle combinations in road charging schemes that differentiate road charges based on vehicles CO2 emission.

Key points

The EESC:

• calls for an earlier date of entry into force to be set for both the changes in the calculation of tolls based on the energy efficiency of trailers and semi-trailers and the mandatory taking into account of the energy efficiency of trailers and semi-trailers in determining which charging class should apply to vehicle-trailer combinations once the CO2-based differentiation of charges becomes applicable to motor vehicles. The date proposed by the European Commission (1 July 2030) should therefore be brought forward.
• advocates for an assessment and consideration of the possible consequences of imposing tolls or user charges on all heavy goods vehicles, in particular when it comes to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The EESC would therefore recommend that the Member States provide for targeted exemptions from the charges.
• emphasises the need to use all possible means to reduce CO2 emissions. For example, one way of cutting carbon emissions from heavy-duty vehicles with trailers is to shift the freight they carry to Europe's rail networks, which is a less carbon-intensive mode of transport, and another is to introduce alternative power sources, differentiated according to the type of transport involved (from local distribution to long-distance transport). Electric power can be suitable for vehicles used for short journeys, and hydrogen, renewable natural gas (RNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) can power heavy-duty vehicles for longer journeys.

Additional information

Section: Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN)

Opinion number: TEN/815

Opinion type: Mandatory

Rapporteur: Bruno Choix (Employers - Group I / France)

Referral: COM(2023) 189 final 2023/0134 COD COM(2023) 189 final 2023/0134 COD

Date of adoption by section: 6 September 2023

Result of the vote: 61 in favour, 0 against, 3 abstentions

Date of adoption in plenary: 20-21 September 2023

Result of the vote: 210 in favour, 2 against, 3 abstentions

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