An agreement has been reached on global CO2 reduction targets for trucks and buses but the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) argues greater support is needed to make this a reality. Whilst truck and bus manufacturers welcome decarbonisation regulation, timelines and adequate legislation around these agreements are necessary to achieve ambitious goals.
Sigrid de Vries, ACEA director general, said: “Electric charging and hydrogen refilling infrastructure, comprehensive carbon pricing schemes, and meaningful support measures for transport operators to invest quickly: these are the key ingredients for rapidly decarbonising the heavy-duty transport sector, in addition to zero-emission vehicles.
“We cannot continue boldly setting ambitious targets for vehicle manufacturers and expect swift and smooth implementation to follow. Without an enabling framework to shore up demand for the zero-emission models, achieving targets will be impossible, especially with the envisaged timeline.”
The targets would require more than 400,000 electric and hydrogen vehicles to be operational by 2030 with more than a third of all new registrations zero-emissions. To achieve this, across Europe there would need to be at least 50,000 charging stations with a large majority of those being megawatt chargers and more than 700 hydrogen refueling stations.
De Vries added: “We are playing our part by investing and ramping up series production of zero-emission trucks and buses, but we rely on our customers’ ability to invest and operate new vehicles to replace older vehicles currently on Europe’s roads.”
A full review of the latest decarbonisation agreement will be conducted in 2027, earlier than initially planned and zero and low-emission vehicle incentives will continue until 2029. The European automotive industry will be tracking the progress of enabling legislation that facilitates a greater roll out of electric and hydrogen vehicles. Equally, the European Commission and member states have a responsibility to enable manufacturers and operators to achieve these goals by encouraging early adopters, supporting infrastructure projects and making clear regulation and legislation around these alternative fuels.
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) represents the 15 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus makers: BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ferrari, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Iveco Group, JLR, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault Group, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, and Volvo Group.
