ACEA calls for accelerated HDV CO2 review after amendment

The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) has welcomed the formal adoption of a targeted amendment to the EU’s heavy-duty vehicle (HDV) CO2 regulation, while cautioning that the change falls short of addressing the structural barriers slowing the transition to zero-emission transport. The amendment adjusts the emission credit calculation mechanism for reporting years 2025 to 2029, allowing manufacturers to accumulate credits when new vehicle emissions fall below the legal 2025-2029 target of -15%, rather than against an artificial linear reduction trajectory.

ACEA said the change corrects a design flaw in the existing rules and will help smooth the path toward more demanding 2030 targets, without altering underlying legal obligations. Urban buses are explicitly excluded from the amendment’s scope due to their distinct procurement patterns and more advanced infrastructure readiness.

Despite the adjustment, ACEA noted that zero-emission vehicles accounted for just 2.0% of heavy-duty truck registrations above 16 tonnes and 14.8% of medium-duty trucks in the EU in 2025, warning that charging and hydrogen infrastructure for HDVs remains insufficient and that the business case for transport operators is fragile.

In a statement, Karin Rådström, President and Chief Executive of Daimler Truck and Chair of ACEA’s Commercial Vehicle Board, said: “The fact that exceeding our CO2 targets will be credited in the future is a fair and important corrective step. But it is not enough to ensure the transition toward CO2-neutral transport. We urgently need a comprehensive review of CO2 regulations so that the ambitious reduction goals are linked to infrastructure rollout and economic viability for our customers.”

ACEA said the upcoming review of the HDV CO2 regulation must be accelerated to close the gap between regulatory ambition and infrastructure readiness.

Source: ACEA