Trade bodies voice concern over EU zero-emissions truck proposals

Four European associations representing the road transport, freight forwarding, shipper and cold-chain sectors have jointly called on European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen to avoid introducing mandatory zero-emission truck demand targets. In a letter[1] dated 10 October, the world road transport organisation (IRU), the European Association for Forwarding, Transport, Logistics and Customs Services (CLECAT), the European Shippers' Council (ESC) and the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA), warn that introducing mandatory purchasing or use targets for zero-emission trucks "would slow market-driven progress and create unnecessary pressure on operators and shippers". The signatories also caution that binding purchase or use targets would place "disproportionate burdens" on companies performing road transport, in particular SMEs and micro-enterprises, which make up over 95% of Europe's 600,000 road transport[2] operators.

Additionally, it states that the cold-chain logistics, construction, and chemical transport sectors "face specific technical and operational barriers to electrification, making a one-size-fits-all mandate both impractical and economically damaging". Nicolette van der Jagt, director general of CLECAT said: "Any EU initiative to renew road freight fleets must focus on creating the enabling conditions for operators to deploy zero-emission vehicles, rather than imposing purchase targets. "Mandating such targets without addressing infrastructure gaps would force operators to purchase vehicles without the ability to use them.

Not only will this come at a substantial cost, but it would also reduce the effectiveness, efficiency, and competitiveness of European operators," she added. The trade bodies, which "represent the vast majority of Europe's logistics and road freight ecosystem," are calling for: targeted purchase incentives to make zero-emission trucks more affordable; accelerated investment in both depot and public charging infrastructure; and a coherent financing framework that reinvests revenues from instruments such as the Eurovignette and ETS 2 directly into road-transport decarbonisation. "We remain committed partners in achieving the EU's climate goals.

Yet we firmly oppose any legislative initiative introducing mandatory zero-emission truck demand targets in any form," the letter reads, adding that real progress will come from enabling conditions, rather than punitive obligations.

The letter states that in the first half of 2025 heavy-duty registrations in the EU fell by 11%, while sales of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles increased by 40%.

References

1. ^ letter (www.clecat.org)
2. ^ road transport (www.logisticsmanager.com)