After two years of painful deadlock, EU transport ministers have finally approved revised rules for maximum truck weights and dimensions, clearing the way for zero-emission vehicles to hit European roads. The agreement ends months of bureaucratic squabbling and opens the door to trilogue negotiations with the European Parliament. About time, too.
The new rules aren’t just paperwork – they’re practical solutions for a cleaner trucking industry. Electric and hydrogen trucks can now get weight bonuses of 2 to 4 tonnes, depending on their configuration. Makes sense, since batteries and fuel cells aren’t exactly featherweight technology. These trucks also get an extra 0.9 metres of length, because apparently saving the planet requires more space.
Not all truck configurations are treated equally, though. The ministers created a tiered system based on axle count. Five-axle and six-axle zero-emission trucks get different allowances. Why? Roads don’t fix themselves, people. The revised regulations aim to reduce uncertainty around European Modular Systems in transport while ensuring efficient goods movement across the EU.
The 11.5-tonne axle weight cap remains unchanged across all member states. Infrastructure protection trumps innovation, apparently.
Industry reactions? Mixed, to put it mildly. The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association thinks the agreement doesn’t go far enough. They want higher weight allowances for common truck configurations and less red tape. Shocking. ACEA has emphasized that these changes are crucial for meeting the ambitious CO2-reduction targets for heavy-duty vehicles across Europe.
Environmental groups are cautiously optimistic but want more ambitious targets, especially for five-axle combinations. Meanwhile, smaller operators worry about compliance costs and whether they’ll actually find places to charge these eco-friendly behemoths. This policy shift aligns with the urgent need to reduce emissions, as the fossil fuel industry is responsible for 75% of carbon emissions over the past twenty years.
National exemptions for certain vehicles still exist but have been tightened for consistency. The changes also align with the European Modular Systems framework, making cross-border operations less of a headache.
The reality is clear: zero-emission trucking needs practical regulatory support to succeed. This agreement is a start, not the finish line. Whether it’s enough to jumpstart Europe’s clean transport revolution remains to be seen. The road to zero emissions is long. And apparently, now a bit wider.
References
- https://trans.info/en/truck-weight-rules-443800
- https://www.acea.auto/press-release/council-approach-on-weights-and-dimensions-adoption-leaves-key-gaps-for-zero-emission-heavy-duty-vehicles/
- https://www.transportenvironment.org/articles/member-states-seize-last-chance-to-unlock-clean-truck-deal
- https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/transport-decarbonisation/road-transport/lorries-buses-and-coaches_en
- https://www.gov.ie/en/department-of-transport/press-releases/minister-canney-welcomes-key-eu-transport-agreements-to-advance-road-safety-and-support-decarbonisation/
- https://theicct.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ID-130-–-EU-CO2_policy_update_final.pdf
- https://www.iru.org/news-resources/newsroom/european-organisations-warn-against-disruptive-zero-emission-truck-mandates
- https://www.commercialmotor.com/news/article/acea-says-eu-weights-and-dimensions-reform-risks-slowing-roll-out-of-zero-emission-trucks
- https://www.falcolines.nl/industry-news-eu-revisits-truck-weight-rules-in-2025/
