The first ever EU regulation on CO2 emissions for trucks and lorries was approved by the European Parliament on Thursday, in an effort to curb rising road transport emissions.
The new legislation, informally agreed between MEPs and the Romanian Presidency of the Council in February, was adopted with 474 votes in favour, 47 against and 11 abstentions.
It requires CO2 emissions from heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks and large vans to be reduced by 30%, by 2030, with an intermediate reduction target of 15%, by 2025.
Also by 2025, manufacturers will be required to ensure that at least a 2% market share of the sales of new vehicles is made up of zero-and-low-emission vehicles, to counteract steadily increasing road traffic emissions, of which around one quarter is accountable to heavy-duty vehicles.
In addition to this, the European Commission will have to propose new post-2030 targets, in 2022, in line with the Paris Agreement.
EU leaders will need to formally approve the text before it can enter into force.
EU proposal to reduce CO2 emissions from cars signed into law
Meanwhile, 18 months of work have culminated with the signing of a regulation that sets a 2030 target for the reduction of CO2 emissions from passenger cars by over 37%.
This law was negotiated by MEP Miriam Dalli and will initially come into force in January 2020.
“The signing was the last step resulting in a law that reduces road transport emissions in all EU Member States, including Malta. I have no words to describe the satisfaction felt today when I know that, I departed from a situation facing a lot of resistance and today this law enjoys the strong backing of both the European Parliament and member states,” Dr Dalli said in reaction to the signing.
“I now look forward to its implementation by the Member States. Reaching this stage was not easy but I consulted everyone - from industry players and stakeholders to trade union and consumer organisation – for a law whose objectives can be met if everyone does their part.”
Miriam Dalli presided over the signing of the agreement that took place in Strasbourg between European Parliament President Antonio Tajani and Minister George Ciamba, President in office of the Council of the EU. This law forms part of the Clean Mobility Package and contributes to the targets agreed by leaders in the Paris Agreement against climate change.
It is a regulation that applies automatically and uniformly to all EU countries without needing to be transposed into national law. The aim is for the car manufacturing industry to invest in technology producing cleaner cars whilst encouraging the member states to implement policies that support this transition.