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OPINION (COM(2023)0088 – C90025/2023 – 2023/0042(COD))

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 as regards strengthening the CO₂ emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles and integrating reporting obligations, and repealing Regulation (EU) 2018/956

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Committee on Industry, Research and Energy · Rapporteur: Miapetra KumpulaNatri

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 26 Sept 2026

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The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy gives its opinion on the Commission proposal to strengthen CO2 emission standards for new heavy-duty vehicles. It supports extending the scope to smaller trucks, long-distance buses and trailers, and the zero-emission target for new city buses from 2030. It proposes stronger CO2 standards for 2035-2039 by raising the target by 10 percent, and a stricter zero-emission vehicle definition of 1g CO2/tkm. It asks that garbage trucks and small lorries under 5 tonnes be subject to the CO2 targets, and that a compensation factor apply to extra heavy combinations over 60 tonnes. It calls for a Commission review by 2027 and annual reporting from 2025 on enabling conditions in each Member State.

Committee position. The committee supports many elements of the Commission proposal but proposes stronger CO2 standards for 2035-2039, a stricter zero-emission definition, inclusion of garbage trucks and small lorries, a compensation factor for extra heavy combinations, and earlier review and annual reporting.

Key points

  1. The committee supports extending the regulation to smaller trucks, long-distance buses and trailers, and the zero-emission target for new city buses from 2030.
  2. It agrees with the 90 percent target for all vehicle sub-groups from 2040, but proposes raising the 2035-2039 target by 10 percent.
  3. It proposes tightening the zero-emission vehicle definition from 5g CO2/tkm to 1g CO2/tkm, so that only monofuel hydrogen combustion engines qualify.
  4. It asks that garbage trucks be included under the CO2 reduction targets because they operate in cities and affect air quality and noise.
  5. It asks that small lorries under 5 tonnes be subject to the same CO2 targets and attributed to sub-groups by mission profile, mileage and payload.
  6. It suggests the Commission review the regulation by 2028 and report to Parliament and the Council, with a revised proposal if appropriate, and present annual reviews of enabling conditions per Member State by 2025.
  7. It asks for a compensation factor in the CO2 calculation for extra heavy combinations over 60 tonnes to reflect their higher loads and better energy efficiency.
  8. It proposes amendments to recitals on climate neutrality, road transport emissions, recharging and refuelling infrastructure, modal shift to rail, hydrogen vehicles, air pollution, SMEs, training and reskilling, and renewable fuels.
  9. It proposes that trucks over 70 tonnes be classified in a specific sub-group, and that small buses under 7.5 tonnes and small lorries under 5 tonnes be exempt from CO2 targets.
  10. It proposes that vocational vehicles such as tippers or concrete mixers remain exempt from the calculation of average specific CO2 emissions, and that zero-emission vehicles and retrofitted vehicles be transferable between non-connected entities.
  11. It proposes that urban buses reach a 90 percent zero-emission share from 2030 and 100 percent from 2035, with Member States able to exclude a limited share for public interest reasons.
  12. It proposes a Carbon Correction Factor from 2030, capped so that no more than 10 percentage points of the CO2 reduction targets for 2030, 2035 and 2040 can be met through it.

Who is affected

  • Manufacturers of heavy-duty vehicles, who would face stronger CO2 targets and a stricter zero-emission definition.
  • Operators of garbage trucks and small lorries under 5 tonnes, which would become subject to CO2 targets.
  • Member States, which would report annually on enabling conditions and may exclude some urban buses.
  • Manufacturers of extra heavy combinations over 60 tonnes, whose CO2 calculations would be adjusted by a compensation factor.

Figures and deadlines

  • 5g CO2/tkm, the Commission's proposed zero-emission vehicle allowance, equivalent to 9% of a standard conventional tractor trailer's emissions.
  • 1g CO2/tkm, the stricter zero-emission vehicle definition proposed by the Rapporteur.
  • 5 tonnes, the maximum mass below which small lorries should be subject to CO2 targets.
  • 2028, the year by which the Commission should review the regulation.
  • 2025, the year by which the Commission should present an annual review of enabling conditions per Member State.
  • 60 tonnes, the maximum permissible mass above which vehicles are extra heavy combinations.
  • 90 percent, the zero-emission target for all vehicle sub-groups from 2040.
  • 10 percent, the increase proposed for the 2035-2039 CO2 target.