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DRAFT 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

TRAN-PA-748959

Committee on Transport and Tourism · Rapporteur: Andris Ameriks

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This is the Committee on Transport and Tourism's draft opinion on the Commission proposal to strengthen CO₂ emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles. It calls on the environment committee to take its amendments into account. The rapporteur supports the reform, including bringing urban buses into the regulation, and asks for a shorter timeline for the Commission to adopt delegated acts on bus exclusions. The draft opinion asks that revenue from excess emission premiums and administrative fines be assigned to a specific budget line 'automotive sector support' of the Social Climate Fund. It proposes tightening the zero-emission vehicle definition to 1 g/(t∙km) or 1 g/(p∙km), and moving the Commission's review of the regulation from 2028 to 2027.

Committee position. The Committee on Transport and Tourism calls on the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety to take its amendments into account. The rapporteur supports the reform, including urban buses, and proposes changes on the zero-emission definition, the review date and the use of premium revenue.

Key points

  1. The rapporteur says transport greenhouse gas emissions are still rising in the EU and account for a quarter of total emissions, with road transport over 70% and heavy-duty vehicles over 27%.
  2. The rapporteur states the reform can lower the total cost of ownership of zero-emission vehicles and channel investment into zero-emission technologies.
  3. The rapporteur welcomes including urban buses in the amending regulation and asks the Commission to shorten the timeline for adopting delegated acts on excluding a limited share of buses.
  4. The rapporteur asks that the transition consider social and economic impacts, affordability and accessibility of transport, connectivity of rural, peri-urban and urban areas, and avoid transport poverty.
  5. The rapporteur asks that measures for workers in the automotive sector be provided in Just Transition plans and Social Climate plans, and that income from excess emissions premiums and administrative fines go to the Social Climate Fund.
  6. The rapporteur seeks a 90% reduction in transport greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 compared with 1990, as stated in the European Green Deal.
  7. Amendment 1 adds Russia's invasion of Ukraine to Recital 1; Amendment 2 adds people living in peripheral areas to the groups affected differently by the transition.
  8. New recitals say the Commission should consider charging and refuelling infrastructure in its review, that efficiency gains have been outpaced by freight demand, and that decarbonisation investment should not worsen transport poverty.
  9. New recitals say member states' progress on alternative fuel infrastructure matters for the urban bus target, and that affordability, driving range, charging times and loading capacity could slow the shift to zero emissions.
  10. New recitals call for key enabling conditions, attention to social impacts and employment, and particular attention to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and affected regions.
  11. Amendment 12 lowers the zero-emission threshold to 1 g/(t∙km) or 1 g/(p∙km); Amendment 13 defines zero-emission vehicles as having no combustion engine or one emitting not more than 5 g/kWh or 5 g/km of CO₂.
  12. Amendment 16 moves the Commission's review to 2027 and requires it to report on registrations, charging and refuelling infrastructure, CO₂-differentiated road charges, allowance prices and other support measures, and to consider reviewing CO₂ targets and waiving premiums.

Who is affected

  • Heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers, who must meet the CO₂ standards and the zero-emission vehicle definition.
  • Transport operators and users, mostly SMEs, who would benefit from more affordable zero-emission vehicles.
  • Workers in the automotive sector, for whom Just Transition and Social Climate plans should provide measures.
  • People on lower incomes, users with special needs and those in peripheral areas, who face inequalities in access to transport.
  • Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises along the automotive supply chain and affected regions and communities.

Figures and deadlines

  • Transport accounts for a quarter of total EU greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Road transport represents more than 70% of transport emissions.
  • Heavy-duty vehicles account for more than 27% of road transport emissions.
  • The rapporteur seeks a 90% reduction in transport greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with respect to 1990.
  • Amendment 12 sets the zero-emission threshold at 1 g/(t∙km) or 1 g/(p∙km) of CO₂.
  • Amendment 13 sets a limit of 5 g/kWh or 5 g/km of CO₂ for vehicles with a combustion engine.
  • Amendment 16 moves the Commission's review from 2028 to 2027.
  • Amendment 17 requires the Commission to adopt delegated acts on Article 3b(2) not later than 18 months after entry into force.