On Friday 21 January, the European Commission launched a call for evidence on the revision of the Directive on the maximum weights and dimensions of heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) (95/53/EC).
Through this consultation, the Commission intends in particular to take stock of the effectiveness of the current rules in a context of transition towards the objectives defined in the ‘Fit for 55’ package (see EUROPE 12762/1). This package, presented by the Commission on 14 July 2021, is designed to achieve a 55% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
In detail, the Commission wants, among other things, to put an end to the fragmentation of the market due to differing national, bilateral, multilateral rules and requirements.
In addition, the Commission also believes that the current directive does not provide sufficient incentives to increase the use of zero-emission and alternative-fuel heavy-duty vehicles.
In order to respond to these problems, the European Commission has put forward several ideas, such as adapting technical standards to the needs of zero-emission HDVs, adapting technical standards to the needs of new aerodynamic technologies and new energy use techniques, or applying measures to promote intermodal transport by allowing, for example, an increase in loading capacity.
See the initiative: https://bit.ly/3IogKuh (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)