Reduction of CO2 emissions from new heavy-duty vehicles, interinstitutional negotiations are progressing well

European Parliament and Council negotiators, assisted by the European Commission, made good progress on the proposal for a regulation to establish, for the first time, performance standards to reduce CO₂ emissions from new heavy-duty vehicles on Tuesday evening, 22 January, but negotiations will continue. 

According to a source close to the case, this second 'trilogue' was ‘very effective’ thanks to the progress made in the Council working group (see EUROPE 12174, 12167). 

All topics were discussed and progress was made on all technical issues, such as the governance issue (how to ensure that manufacturers' actual emissions data are correct, who will perform the verifications, what reference period to use to calculate reduction targets) or the regulation's revision clause in 2023. On this point, the question was what the Commission will have to evaluate, what category of heavy-duty vehicles will be concerned (should recreational vehicles, such as motorhomes, and modular concepts - these very long heavy-duty vehicles travelling long distances - be included?). No details have filtered through the closed-door discussions. 

Political issues, such as emission reduction targets and incentives for the introduction of low-emission vehicles on the market, were the subject of a simple exchange of views, everyone being aware that, at this stage, it is unrealistic to expect a rapprochement. “The issue will be seriously discussed at the third trilogue on February 12, as no one will move until then", explained a diplomatic source. In the meantime, technical meetings are scheduled for January 24 and 31. 

It should be recalled that, with regard to reduction targets (the Council wants 15% in 2025 compared to 2019 and 30% in 2030, the Parliament 20% in 2025 and 35% in 2030, (see EUROPE 12137)), the Commission is more in line with the Council's line, considering that it is unrealistic to go beyond a 15% reduction in 2025, given that the production cycle has started for vehicles that will be on sale in 2025. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)