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DRAFT REPORT (COM(2023)0445 – C90306/2023 – 2023/0265(COD))

On the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 96/53/EC laying down for certain road vehicles circulating within the Community the maximum authorised dimensions in national and international traffic and the maximum authorised weights in international traffic

TRAN-PR-754850

Committee on Transport and Tourism · Rapporteur: Isabel García Muñoz

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This is the rapporteur's draft report on the Commission proposal to amend Directive 96/53/EC on maximum weights and dimensions of road vehicles. It supports the proposal and proposes amendments on European Modular Systems, zero-emission vehicles, enforcement, driver qualifications and a single EU length label. The draft would require Member States to assess European Modular Systems before authorising them, set driver qualification requirements, and make them zero-emission in international traffic from 1 January 2040. It would phase out heavier fossil-fuelled lorries in cross-border traffic from 2032, extend the length allowance for zero-emission technology, and harmonise rules on vehicle transporters' overhanging loads. It would require certified automatic weighing systems on the trans-European road network, Intelligent Access Policy schemes by 1 January 2040, and the use of penalty revenues for sustainable transport. It would create a single EU label for vehicle length, a European web portal on national rules and EMS routes, and regular Commission reports on the Directive's application.

Committee position. The rapporteur welcomes the Commission proposal and proposes amendments to strengthen governance of European Modular Systems, phase out fossil-fuelled heavier lorries in cross-border traffic from 2032, require zero-emission European Modular Systems in international traffic from 2040, improve enforcement and introduce a single EU length label.

Key points

  1. The rapporteur welcomes the Commission proposal and proposes amendments to strengthen its rules on sustainability, the internal market and enforcement.
  2. Member States would have to carry out a prior assessment of European Modular Systems' impact on road safety, infrastructure, modal cooperation and the environment, and make it public.
  3. Member States would have to publish the road network where European Modular Systems can circulate, ensuring the safety of vulnerable road users, and show there is no suitable more sustainable alternative.
  4. Member States would have to set qualification requirements for European Modular System drivers, ensuring proportionality, non-discrimination and mutual recognition.
  5. Member States would have to notify the Commission when they allow European Modular Systems and explain how they meet the conditions; the Commission could issue recommendations.
  6. From 1 January 2040, European Modular Systems in international traffic would have to be zero-emission.
  7. Heavier lorries running on fossil fuels would be phased out in cross-border traffic from 2032, with zero-emission vehicles and intermodal operations keeping the extra weight allowance.
  8. The length allowance for zero-emission technology would no longer be capped at 90 cm, provided the vehicle complies with the turning circle rule and loading length does not increase.
  9. Rules on overhanging loads of vehicle transporters would be harmonised, with a total length up to 20,75 metres and specified front and rear protrusions.
  10. Member States would have to install certified automatic weighing systems on the trans-European road transport network and may use on-board weighing equipment.
  11. Member States would have to implement Intelligent Access Policy schemes by 1 January 2040, with data accessible in real time and in all Union official languages.
  12. Penalty revenues would have to support sustainable transport, intermodality and cross-border transport sustainability; a single EU label for vehicle length would be established.

Who is affected

  • Road transport operators: new rules on weights, dimensions, permits and enforcement apply to their cross-border and national operations.
  • Drivers of European Modular Systems: Member States would set qualification requirements, mutually recognised.
  • Member States: must assess, notify and monitor European Modular Systems, install weighing systems and set up access schemes.
  • Vulnerable road users: European Modular Systems would not circulate where pedestrians, cyclists and powered two wheelers are present.
  • Vehicle transporters: harmonised overhang rules and a total length up to 20,75 metres would apply.

Figures and deadlines

  • 2032: date from which heavier fossil-fuelled lorries are phased out in cross-border traffic.
  • 1 January 2040: date from which European Modular Systems in international traffic must be zero-emission.
  • 2040: deadline for Member States to establish Intelligent Access Policy schemes.
  • 20,75 metres: maximum total length for loaded vehicle transporters.
  • 0,5 metres: maximum front protrusion of the load; 1,5 metres: maximum rear protrusion.
  • 6 months: period for a Member State to inform the Commission how it will implement recommendations.
  • 5 years: period for which delegated acts are conferred on the Commission.
  • 2 months: period for Parliament or Council to object to a delegated act, extendable by 2 months.

Legal basis: Article 294(2) and Article 91 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.