Working Paper

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.