Two EEA Studies Assess Financial Incentives for Clean Vehicles and Emissions from Heavy-Duty Vehicles

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector is a key priority for the European Union. Average CO₂ emissions of new passenger cars in the EU has fallen steadily over recent years, decreasing by around 30% since 2001. However, last November the European Commission set forward new targets to help accelerate the transition to low- and zero-emission vehicles. A further 20% reduction in average CO₂ emissions will thus be required to comply with the new target of 95 g CO₂/km by 2021. The study found that consumers more readily purchased lower emitting cars where sufficiently large and targeted taxes and incentives were in place.

The second EEA study looks at the increase in emissions from heavy-duty vehicles (trucks, buses and coaches), which account to around one quarter of CO₂ emissions from the transport sector. According to the briefing, emissions from heavy-duty vehicles are expected to increase further if new measures to curb emissions are not taken.

To date, there have been no mandatory EU procedures to monitor and report emissions and fuel consumption from heavy duty vehicles unlike those in place for new passenger cars and vans. However, a new monitoring and reporting system will come into force in 2019. This will help promote more efficient heavy-duty vehicles on the EU market. A European Commission proposal to establish mandatory CO₂ emission limits for newly registered heavy-duty vehicles is expected later this year.

For more information, you can access the briefings based on the two studies via the following links:

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