EU Parliament Backs Green Freight Plan: Longer, Heavier Zero-Emission Trucks
On Wednesday, the Transport and Tourism Committee of the European Parliament adopted a position on the revision of road transport weights and dimensions rules. The draft, which aims to green freight transport, was approved by 26 votes to 11 and one abstention. MEPs argue that the proposed changes could make zero-emission trucks and buses more competitive, incentivizing the transport industry to switch to cleaner vehicles.
The proposed revision seeks to alter the weights and dimensions limits applied to trucks and buses involved in international road transport. MEPs want to increase the maximum weight and length of zero-emission trucks by four tonnes to compensate for the space and weight needed for battery or hydrogen cells and to provide additional loading capacity. This adjustment aims to ensure that the installation of zero-emission technologies does not reduce cabin space or driver comfort.
MEPs also suggest the creation of an EU label on the length of mega trucks, which are longer and heavier than EU limits, to improve road safety. They want to see the use of digital enforcement tools, such as Intelligent Access Policy, to ensure the right vehicle operates on the right road and at the right time, minimizing environmental impact. MEPs want to see more robust enforcement of EU rules, suggesting countries set up automatic control systems along main roads to check if trucks and buses comply with weight and dimension limits.
Currently, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, and some German federal states have already permitted the use of longer trucks, including mega-trucks. Most other EU member states have not yet decided on the new 32-meter mega-truck proposal.
The draft position will now be voted on by all MEPs in a forthcoming plenary session, possibly in March. EP rapporteur Isabel García Muñoz (S&D, ES) stated that zero-emission vehicles must become the backbone of road transport to reach decarbonisation objectives. The proposed revision aims to facilitate this transition by making zero-emission trucks and buses more competitive and ensuring robust enforcement of EU rules.
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