Daimler Truck executive Achim Puchert is calling for the EU to adjust carbon dioxide regulations for commercial vehicles, warning that poor charging infrastructure and high electricity costs could trigger severe financial penalties for manufacturers despite the availability of electric fleets.
Daimler-Truck board member Achim Puchert outlined the pressure facing heavy-duty vehicle makers as regulatory deadlines collide with a sluggish infrastructure rollout, according to reporting from DIE WELT. Parallel adjustments for large commercial vehicles are absent, even as the European Union has moved to ease rules governing combustion engines in passenger cars.
Charging Infrastructure Fails to Meet Supply
Low market share figures across Europe stem from external bottlenecks rather than a lack of product readiness, Puchert argued. He emphasized that manufacturers have met their obligations by developing wide portfolios of electric commercial vehicles.
The vehicles are available,
Puchert said. He pointed instead to restricted power grid performance and insufficient public charging points tailored for heavy commercial transport. Market leader representatives pointed out that electric trucks have only achieved low market shares so far because the necessary framework conditions are absent.
We do not question the targets. We have done our homework and invested in vehicles. But the infrastructure is developing significantly slower than announced.
Achim Puchert, Daimler-Truck board member
High Costs Trigger Penalty Risks
Electricity prices in Europe remain too high to grant battery-powered commercial vehicles a decisive cost advantage over traditional diesel engines. Mercedes-Benz Trucks head Achim Puchert noted that only when infrastructure and operating costs are right will a convincing business case emerge for many customers.
Manufacturers face steep financial penalties if fleet emission targets are missed under current rules. Puchert cautioned that if the required framework is not established, it is unfair to hold only the manufacturing companies responsible for missing official targets.
Regulators Ignore Timeline Warnings
Neither the European Commission nor industry regulators have detailed specific revisions to the existing CO2 reduction milestones, despite mounting pressure on EU lawmakers to reconsider the regulatory timeline for trucks.