Truck Lobby Warns of Massive Fines Over EU Climate Targets
Transport industries express apprehension over potential billions in penalties due to compliance with EU's climate goals - EU Climate Goals Pose Potential Financial Penalties of Billions for the Truck Industry
Some strong language ahead
Here's the skinny on that Climate Action bullshit the EU is pushing: Due to the snail's pace of truck manufacturers transitioning to eco-friendly vehicles, industry group Acea is raising a stink about potential billion-dollar fines. These fines would be doled out to said manufacturers, as warned at a press conference in smug old Brussels. Politicians better get their act together and boost demand for climate-friendly commercial vehicles, or these truck makers are about to feel the financial heat.
According to the industry, over 90% of new trucks still run on gas-guzzling diesel. Only a measly 3.5% of the trucks registered in the first quarter of 2025 are electric, be they battery-powered or hybrids. The situation is slightly better for buses, with roughly 65% of them still chugging diesel, thanks to a higher share of eco-friendly buses in urban areas.
The CEO of Scania, aka the big cheese at Acea's commercial vehicle committee, Christian Levin, has called for politicians to jack up the cost of transporting with climate-damaging fuel like diesel. Levin, being the optimistic prick he is, sees good signs in the new German government, which, given its central location in Europe's logistics network, is crucial for backing emission-free or low-emission vehicles.
The EU has some fucking ridiculous carbon dioxide (CO2) targets for truck manufacturers. According to the current law, CO2 emissions from new coaches and new trucks must be reduced by 45% by 2030, 65% by 2035, and, by 2040, an eye-watering 90% as compared to 2019 levels. There's even tighter regulations for urban buses to phase out diesel vehicles entirely, with 90% needing to be zero-emission by 2030 and 100% by 2035.
The auto industry has already managed to squeeze some leniency out of politicos, gaining more time to comply with EU climate targets. But if truck manufacturers miss the mark, they could face "billions in fines," courtesy of the EU. These penalties will likely be assessed on a per-ton basis for each extra gram of CO2 emitted beyond target.
To wrap it up, EU manufacturers are expected to drastically reduce CO2 emissions from new trucks and coaches, with increasingly stringent objectives over time, and face sizeable financial penalties for underperformance. Get ready to cough up some serious cash, truckmakers.
Keywords:- Climate Protection- EU Climate Targets- Billion-Euro Fine- Acea- EU- Commercial Vehicle- Road Traffic- CO2 Emissions- Truck Lobby- Germany- Transport- Diesel Phasing Out
*Enrichment:The European Union has established stringent CO2 emission reduction targets for new trucks and coaches as part of its broader commitment to climate neutrality by 2050. The latest legally binding targets, stemming from amended CO2 emission performance standards for heavy-duty vehicles, are outlined below:
- For new lorries (over 5 tonnes) and coaches/buses (over 7.5 tonnes):
- By 2030: 45% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to 2019 levels.
- By 2035: 65% reduction.
- By 2040: 90% reduction.
- For new urban buses (over 7.5 tonnes):
- By 2030: 90% of new urban buses must be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs).
- By 2035: 100% must be zero-emission vehicles.
Manufacturers of heavy-duty vehicles that fail to meet these targets face financial consequences. While specific fine structures are not detailed in available documents, similar EU regulations for cars and vans have historically imposed excess emissions premiums. The fines for heavy-duty vehicles are likely levied as penalties for each gram of CO2 emitted above the set limit, though exact figures or formulas have yet to be published for trucks and coaches.
- The community policy should include measures to support the transition of the truck manufacturing industry to eco-friendly vehicles, as the current European Union (EU) climate targets for reduction of CO2 emissions from new trucks and coaches by 2030, 2035, and 2040 pose significant financial challenges to manufacturers.
- The employment policy should consider the impact of the EU's climate-change regulations on the auto industry, specifically the phasing out of diesel vehicles in favor of emission-free or low-emission alternatives, to ensure sustainable employment opportunities for workers in this sector.
- The implementation of environmental-science strategies in the industries concerned, such as road transport, should be prioritized as part of the overall climate-change response, considering the effects of climate-change on the environment and the need for sustainable practices in industry. In this case, the financial-impact analysis, as part of the finance department's responsibilities, is crucial in assessing the feasibility and potential economic benefits of transitioning to cleaner technologies.
