The European Parliament gave the green light on Thursday 18 April to the very first contribution of heavy goods vehicles to clean mobility and the fight against climate change.
By an overwhelming majority (474 votes in favour, 47 against, 11 abstentions), MEPs validated the Provisional Interinstitutional Agreement reached in February on the regulation which, for the first time, will impose performance standards for the reduction of CO2 emissions from the fleet of heavy goods vehicles and new buses, while encouraging placing clean vehicles on the market (see EUROPE 12197/2).
In the opinion of the rapporteur, Bas Eickhout (Greens/EFA, the Netherlands), it is "a great success" in more than one respect: "The regulation will help to reduce pollution on our roads and to improve air quality", but should also "encourage the industry to spur on change and advances in technology".
The text provides for a 30% reduction in emissions by 2030 compared to 2019 with an intermediate target of 15% by 2025 - two binding targets - and the setting of post-2030 targets compatible with the Paris Climate Agreement in 2022.
It also provides for a system of incentives for placing low-emission or zero-emission vehicles on the market: super credits until 2024 and a mandatory 2% share of these clean vehicles in sales in 2025. It is now up to the EU Council to adopt the Regulation. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)