EU proposes 90% CO2 emissions cut by 2040 for trucks

16 Feb 2023 CW Team

The European Commission proposed tougher CO2 limits for heavy goods vehicles, requiring new trucks by 2040 to cut emissions by 90% and all new city buses to have zero emissions from 2030. The aim is to bring the transport sector in line with the European Union's goal to achieve zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, as well as to reduce demand for imported fossil fuels.

Already last year, the 27-nation bloc agreed a 2035 deadline for new cars to be CO2-free. The Commission proposed that from 2040, manufacturers would need to reduce the average CO2 emissions of the new trucks they sell by 90%, compared with 2019 levels. They would also face a 65% CO2 cut from 2035 and a 45% cut from 2030.

The 90% target falls short of the zero emissions goal that countries including the Netherlands sought. Some EU countries - which must negotiate the final law with the European Parliament - have said 2040 is too soon for manufacturers to meet a zero emissions target, diplomats said. The proposal disappointed campaigners, who said new CO2-emitting trucks registered in 2040 would still be on the road in 2050 - thwarting the bloc's net zero deadline.

Trucks in the EU were, on average, 14 years old in 2020, according to data published last year by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association. Swedish truck maker AB Volvo started series production of heavy electric trucks last year, and aims for half of its global truck deliveries to be electric by 2030. Other routes to decarbonise trucks include switching from combustion engines to hydrogen fuel cells, although these are not expected to be available in large numbers until the second half of this decade.

Also Read
MYRE Capital proposes to raise Rs 200 mn through structured debt
December quarter saw an 88% increase in Torrent Power's net profit

Infrastructure Transport

30 Oct 2025

RVNL wins North Eastern Railway bridge project worth Rs 1.66 billion

Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL) announced on 27 October that it has emerged as the lowest bidder (L1) for a significant infrastructure project awarded by the North Eastern Railway, as part of its routine business operations. The project involves the construction of the substructure for Important Bridge No. 50, which will comprise 14 spans of 61 metres each. It will feature a Double D-type well foundation designed for a double line and adhere to the RDSO 25T axle loading standard. The bridge will be built over the river Gandak, situated between Paniyahwa and Valmikinagar stations, as part of ..

Northern Railways plans direct Kashmir link with India

Following the successful launch of twin Vande Bharat trains on the Srinagar–Katra route, marking the completion of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla rail link in June, Northern Railways is now working towards providing direct rail connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of the country, an official has confirmed. Senior Divisional Commercial Manager of the Jammu Division, Uchit Singhal, said that efforts are underway to resolve operational and security challenges to achieve this milestone for Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking to PTI after introducing a two-minute stoppage for the semi-high-sp..

Railway Board approves new station at Nedumbassery airport

The Railway Board has approved the construction of a new railway station at Nedumbassery, fulfilling a long-standing demand from air passengers using the Cochin International Airport. Union Minister George Kurian’s office announced on Wednesday that the decision marks a major step towards enhancing rail connectivity to the airport, which serves as one of southern India’s key transport hubs. According to the statement, Kurian had earlier met Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who assured him that the project would be expedited. The plan gathered momentum following Vaishnaw’s visit last ..