Internal combustion engine trucks will still be able to be registered in the EU after 2035, with an eventual phase out taking place in 2040 at the earliest, according to the latest report by the European Commission on revised CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles, presented on 14 February 2023.

While for cars and vans EU institutions reached an agreement to reduce exhaust CO2 emissions to zero by 2035 already last year, the law does not include targets for heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks and tractors.

The Commission published revised CO2 standards, and it appears that heavy trucks and buses will be allowed to emit CO2 beyond 2035, with an eventual phase out occurring in 2040 at the earliest.

The document leaves carbon reduction targets unchanged for the period 2025-2029 and sets targets for emissions reductions levels required thereafter. It identifies three subsequent "reporting periods" with emissions reduction targets for the periods from 2030 to 2040 onwards as follows:

- 45% emissions reductions from 2030;

- 65% emission reductions from 2035;

- 90% emissions reduction from 2040.

What becomes clear from the document is that the potential target for full emission reductions, i.e. an effective ban on new diesel trucks, will not be achieved until 2040 at the earliest, if at all.

Source: European Commission, EURACTIV