EU Emission Reduction for New Trucks and City Buses

Zero Emissions Target for New City Buses by 2030 And 90 % Emissions Reduction for New Trucks by 2040

The European Commission has proposed new carbon emissions reduction targets for heavy-duty vehicles in the EU. The goal is to reduce emissions by 90 % for new trucks by 2040, with a series of targets that will increase every five years, starting with a 45 % reduction by 2030. The new regulations will be fleet-based, which means that manufacturers must meet these targets on average. This approach allows for some heavy-duty vehicles to continue using combustion engines, while the majority will have to switch to electric or hydrogen power. At present, 99% of heavy-duty vehicles in the EU are powered by internal combustion engines, fueled primarily by imported fossil fuels.

The new regulations will also require new city buses to switch to zero-emission technology by 2030. This initiative aims to align the transport sector with the EU’s goal of achieving zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 while reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels. Last year, the EU agreed that new cars must be CO₂-free by 2035.

Neste Calls for an Inclusive Approach to Decarbonization Solutions for Heavy-Duty Vehicles

Neste, a company that produces renewable transport fuels, welcomes policy actions that will reduce emissions from road transport in Europe. However, the company cautions against relying on one technology or energy carrier, which could exclude regions where it is difficult to electrify. Neste recommends supporting all renewable and sustainable fuels that reduce emissions, especially those that offer immediate solutions.

Transportation is responsible for over a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions in the EU, and while vehicle technology has improved, this has been offset by an increase in road transport. There are currently 6.2 million trucks in circulation in the EU, with an average lifespan of 14 years. The European Commission estimates that at least 70 % of newly sold trucks will still be running on diesel in 2030. According to Neste, policymakers should explore several parallel solutions to decarbonize heavy-duty vehicles, including the contribution of renewable fuels, as the heavy-duty vehicles fleet could face substantial challenges to electrify.

Neste refines waste, residues, and raw materials into renewable fuels and sustainable feedstock for plastics and other materials. They are introducing renewable and recycled raw materials such as liquefied waste plastic as refinery raw materials. The company has consistently been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices and the Global 100 list of the world’s most sustainable companies.