EU wants less CO2 from HGVs by 2025

“Our citizens are entitled to clean air.” MEP Mark Demesmaeker reacts with satisfaction to the ambitious greening of HGVs voted in by the European Parliament on Wednesday. By 2025, new HGVs must emit 20% less CO2, and in 2030 the amount must be 35% less.

Complying with climate agreements

“No less than a quarter of CO2 emissions in road transport comes from HGVs. What’s more, these emissions are constantly increasing, and that goes for our country too. If we want to comply with our climate agreements in full and emit 40% less CO2 by 2030, we really do need these standards. After all, the technology is already available and the transport sector itself wants it too,” explains Mark Demesmaeker.

Savings on fuel

The new standards also provide for savings on fuel, which will profit companies and consumers. Ambitious product standardisation is also necessary to attract innovation and investments. MEP Mark Demesmaeker says: “Non-European countries like the US and China are already turning their fullest attention to this goal. We must not let ourselves be left behind.”

Buses: to include or not to include?

When it comes to the proposal to integrate buses into the legal text, Mark Demesmaeker has questions: “We do not find it opportune to count buses as well in order to reach the targets for greener HGVs. That gives an unfair advantage to manufacturers that build both buses and HGVs and threatens undermining the level of ambition for the HGVs themselves.”