EU Truckmakers Demand 3-Year Delay on 2030 CO2 Emission Targets

Europe's top truck manufacturers are calling on the European Union to postpone its stringent 2030 CO2 reduction targets by three years. The industry group argues that a lack of sufficient charging infrastructure and high energy costs are making zero-emission vehicles economically unviable for transport operators.

Automakers Cite Infrastructure and Cost Hurdles

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) stated on Monday that the conditions for a mass-market transition to zero-emission trucks are not yet in place. In a joint statement, the CEOs of seven leading manufacturers, including DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Iveco, and Scania, highlighted the slow rollout of necessary infrastructure as a primary obstacle.

According to ACEA, currently only 2.4% of new heavy-duty vehicles sold in the bloc are zero-emission. This figure is far below the trajectory needed to meet the ambitious 2030 goals, which the manufacturers claim do not make business sense for their customers under the current circumstances.

A Look at the EU's Emissions Timeline

Under existing EU regulations, truckmakers face a series of steep emissions reduction mandates for new heavy-duty vehicles, compared to 2025 levels. Non-compliance will result in significant fines, although a credit system is in place for the 2025-2029 period.

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• 2030 Target: A 43% reduction in CO2 emissions.
• 2035 Target: A 64% reduction.
• 2040 Target: A 90% reduction.

Broader Industry Pushback

The manufacturers' request is accompanied by a list of policy demands aimed at accelerating the transition. They are urging policymakers to speed up the deployment of charging stations, improve grid connections, implement CO2-based road tolls, and reinvest revenue from the emissions trading system into green infrastructure and vehicle adoption incentives.

This move by the truck sector reflects a wider pushback from Europe's automotive industry against the EU's aggressive green transition timeline. It comes as policymakers are also debating a potential softening of the bloc's planned 2035 ban on new combustion-engine cars following similar pressure from the passenger vehicle sector.