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EU proposes 90% reduction in truck emissions by 2040

The European Union is proposing a 90% reduction in carbon emissions from trucks by 2040, in line with its goal of reaching net zero by 2050. Trucks and buses account for over a quarter of the EU's road transport emissions and more than 6% of the EU's total emissions.

Today, there are dozens of electric trucks on the market, and leading companies are increasingly committed to making their fleets zero-emission. However, it's not happening fast enough to reach net zero by 2050.

EU's proposal to boost the deployment of zero-emission trucks

The European Commission has proposed new truck CO2 reduction targets, calling for average emissions from trucks to fall 43% by 2030, 64% by 2035, and 90% by 2040. European legislators are set to decide whether these targets are achievable or even ambitious enough.

Road Freight Zero, a coalition of first-mover champions, has identified 8 policy levers to help the industry go further and faster than the proposed EU targets. These include:

Subsidizing purchases of zero-emission trucks
Providing incentives for using electric trucks with long ranges
Setting a CO2 credit and debit system that rewards the production of zero-emission trucks
Establishing an emissions trading system for road transport as well as road-charging systems with lower fees for lower-emission vehicles
Increasing vehicle weight and size allowances to account for heavy batteries
Simplifying permits and building procedures for hydrogen and electric charging stations across the EU
Mapping the most appropriate locations for their development, all with enough space, grid capacity, and charging demand
Alleviating the costs of grid connections and supporting the piloting of Megawatt Charging Systems

These policies would boost the deployment of zero-emission trucks and infrastructure, helping the EU achieve its goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

To learn more, read the World Economic Forum's Road Freight Zero briefing.