A coalition of major European fleet operators, including IKEA, EDF, Geopost, and DFDS, has petitioned the European Commission to maintain current emissions standards for heavy-duty trucks. The companies, all members of the Climate Group’s EV100 initiative, argue that stable regulations are essential for long-term investment in electric vehicle fleets.
The existing EU framework mandates a 43 percent reduction in CO2 emissions for commercial vehicles by 2030, rising to 64 percent by 2035 and 90 percent by 2040. Fleet operators contend that these targets are achievable and that fuel savings from electric trucks will eventually offset higher initial purchase costs.
In contrast, major truck manufacturers, including Daimler Truck, Volvo Group, and MAN Truck & Bus, have requested a three-year delay for the 2030 emissions targets. They cite an alarming lack of charging infrastructure and regulatory hurdles, warning that failing to adjust the timeline could result in penalties exceeding €2 billion.
Current market data shows that electric heavy-duty trucks hold a 2.4 percent share in Europe. Adoption rates vary significantly by country, ranging from below 1 percent in markets like Poland, Spain, and Italy to 4.3 percent in Germany. Manufacturers emphasize that the current ecosystem is not developing fast enough to support mass adoption.
