EU truck makers on track to meet first-ever CO₂ emissions targets, new study finds

A new study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) reveals positive news for Europe’s main truck manufacturers: five of the seven largest, representing 70 per cent of the market, are on track to meet the EU’s first-ever CO₂ target for heavy-duty vehicles (HDV).

Europe’s CO₂ standards mandate a 15 per cent reduction in average emissions from new heavy-duty vehicles compared to 2019 levels. Manufacturers can comply by improving the efficiency of their diesel and natural gas trucks and increasing sales of zero-emission models, including battery-electric, hydrogen fuel-cell, or hydrogen internal combustion vehicles.

There are also several compliance flexibilities available: manufacturers can earn credits by producing low-emitting vehicles between 2019 and 2024 and use these credits in 2025 if they miss the 15 per cent target. They can also transfer vehicles between brands, effectively allowing manufacturers with the same parent company to pool their emissions.

“Most manufacturers are already well on track to meet their 2025 CO₂ targets,” according to Eamonn Mulholland, ICCT senior researcher and lead author of the study.

“For those still catching up, there are clear and realistic pathways to close the gap, such as technology improvements or compliance flexibilities.

“With zero-emission sales picking up and conventional vehicles becoming more efficient, Europe’s heavy-duty industry is well positioned to hit its first CO₂ milestone,” he added.

Two manufacturers — Scania and Volvo Trucks — have already met the 2025 CO₂ target two years early in 2023, with Volvo leading Europe in zero-emission heavy vehicle sales.

Renault Trucks and DAF can comply using credits earned between 2019 and 2023, while MAN can stay on track by pooling its emissions with Scania. Daimler Truck will need moderate improvements to its diesel vehicles or higher zero-emission sales.

Iveco, one of the smallest manufacturers, faces a steeper challenge but could course-correct through efficiency improvements and increased zero-emission HDV sales.

Heavy-duty vehicles account for over a quarter of EU road transport CO₂ emissions. The 2025 targets mark the first milestone in one of the world’s most ambitious frameworks for this sector, with subsequent reductions of 45 per cent by 2030, 65 per cent by 2035, and 90 per cent by 2040 planned.