The EU has already endorsed the end in 2035 of the sale of new cars with internal combustion engines. astrosystem / stock.adobe.com
The Commission has published its roadmap on CO2 emission standards2 for trucks, buses and coaches.
Brussels proposes to put an end to new diesel trucks in 2040. And is accelerating to reach the end of sales of new city buses with internal combustion engines by 2030. The European Commission unveiled its roadmap on Tuesday to reduce CO2 emissions.2 trucks, city buses and coaches. They are responsible for more than 6% of greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union, and more than 25% of those linked to road transport. That same day, the Parliament meeting in plenary session definitively adopted the end of sales of new thermal cars in 2035, already recorded in the fall.
In its proposal for heavy vehicles, which will be discussed in the coming months by the Council, the Commission and the Parliament, Brussels has proposed that trucks reduce their CO2 emissions by 90% (compared to 2019 levels).2 by 2040 with intermediate objectives of -45% from 2030 then -65% in 2035. Why not align the reduction of CO2 emissions for trucks, buses and coaches with cars? The Commission found that, unlike car manufacturers, truck manufacturers “were not as advanced” on the choice of technology, battery or hydrogen.
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“It is also a challenge for the companies that use these trucksexplains Frans Timmermans, Vice-President of the Commission responsible for the European Green Deal. The climatic conditions, the cold, the mountain roads will lead companies to use trucks with internal combustion engines. » The lack of charging infrastructure, which is much more powerful for heavy goods vehicles, seems to have weighed on the Commission’s moderation.
Very advanced decarbonization for buses
The ambition is stronger for urban buses, which will have to reduce their emissions by 100% by 2030, that is to say switch to battery-electric or hydrogen. Unlike trucks, the Commission found that local authorities were already well advanced in decarbonising their bus fleets. This is why it has set an even earlier deadline than for new passenger cars.
The renunciation of zero emissions from 2035 for heavy goods vehicles appears disconnected from the reality of the climate emergency and the objectives of the Paris agreements
Karima Delli (Greens), President of the Transport Committee in the European Parliament
Frans Timmermans assured that this transition would not follow the example of solar panels made in China. “We have started discussions to create an industrial base in Europe and prevent production from being relocated”, he assures. This proposal is far from unanimous. It lacks ambition, believes Karima Delli (Greens), President of the Transport Committee at the European Parliament: “The renunciation of zero emissions from 2035 for heavy goods vehicles appears disconnected from the reality of the climate emergency and the objectives of the Paris agreements. »
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