On Monday 20 December, the European Commission opened a public consultation on the forthcoming revision of the EU Regulation (2019/1242) setting average CO2 emission standards for new heavy goods vehicles (over 16 tonnes).
Scheduled for the fourth quarter of next year, this initiative was announced by the Commission as part of its Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy (see EUROPE 12616/12, 12619/12).
Its main objective is to “reduce CO2 emissions from heavy-duty vehicles cost-effectively”, says the initiative’s roadmap.
To this end, the Commission will examine, among other things, the possibility of increasing CO2 emission standards (targets and deadlines), extending the scope of the Regulation to other heavy-duty vehicles, providing exemptions for small manufacturers, and earmarking the revenue from penalties for a specific fund or programme to ensure a just transition to climate neutrality.
The institution will also consider the nature of and need for a mechanism to “provide incentives for zero- and low-emission vehicles” and another mechanism to take account of the contribution that renewable and low-carbon fuels can make.
To access the consultation: https://bit.ly/3GZU4Qu (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)