Benefits of extending the EU heavy-duty CO2 emissions standards to other truck segments

An upcoming review of the heavy-duty CO₂ emissions standards in the European Union will consider several adjustments to the regulation, including the possibility of extending the CO₂ emissions reduction targets to other vehicle segments, as well as setting specific targets for trailers. This study assesses the additional benefits that would result from extending the CO₂ standards to these other segments under several alternate scenarios and provides recommendations for the 2022 review of the standards.

This study finds that extending the current CO₂ emissions reduction targets of 15% and 30% by 2025 and 2030, respectively, to vehicle groups 1, 2, 3, 11, 12, and 16, which are already covered by the certification procedure would lead to additional savings of 18%, or 36 megatonnes of CO₂, compared to current policies.

Applying specific CO₂ performance targets to semi-trailers with a box body would drive the adoption of emissions reduction technologies. Additional savings of up to 24%, or 49 megatonnes of CO₂, could be obtained by setting standards that would mandate a 10% improvement in the CO₂ performance of semi-trailers by 2030.

Including light and medium lorries into the scope of the CO₂ standards would lead to additional savings of 5%, or 9 megatonnes of CO₂, compared to adopted policies. Additionally, extending the targets to buses—which will also be covered by the upcoming amendments of the CO₂ certification procedure—would lead to further CO₂ benefits.

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