BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - In view of sluggish growth in climate-friendly trucks on the roads, the lobby association Acea is warning of heavy penalties for manufacturers. According to the association, payments in the billions could be due, said association representatives at a press conference in Brussels. Legislators must do much more to increase demand for climate-friendly commercial vehicles.
According to the industry, more than 90 percent of all newly registered trucks are currently powered by diesel. 3.5 percent of trucks registered in the first quarter of 2025 can be charged electrically, meaning they either run on batteries or are plug-in hybrids. The situation is better for buses: according to Acea, just under 65 percent of buses are diesel vehicles, due to the relatively high proportion of climate-friendly buses in cities.
Hope for the new federal government
Christian Levin, CEO of Scania and chairman of the ACEA Commercial Vehicles Committee, called on politicians to significantly increase the cost of transport using climate-damaging energy sources such as diesel. In addition, a reasonable charging infrastructure for electric trucks is needed. It is not a question of questioning climate targets. "We are here to talk about how we can make this journey possible," said the entrepreneur.
"I see really good signs that Germany wants to become the engine of industrial Europe again," said Levin, referring to the new federal government. From a logistical point of view, basically all transport runs through Germany. It is therefore very important that Germany supports emission-free or low-emission vehicles.
Commercial vehicles should emit less CO2 in the EU
In the past, there has been much debate about CO2 targets for car manufacturers, but truck manufacturers must also comply with similar rules. Under current legislation, CO2 emissions from new coaches and trucks are to be reduced by 45 percent by 2030, 65 percent by 2035, and 90 percent by 2040, compared to 2019 levels.
Following intense pressure from the business community, politicians have already made concessions to the automotive industry. Car manufacturers have been given more time to comply with EU climate targets. /mjm/DP/zb
