EU proposes a sour Eurovignette incentive
The European Commission proposal made today to add trailers and semi-trailers to the Eurovignette Directive can only be seen as an industry incentive if Member States are obliged to apply it from the same date as the motor vehicle CO₂ rate variation.
Too early: EU states adopt new emissions trading system for road transport
The Council of the EU yesterday adopted a new emissions trading system for road transport (ETS II). The system will apply to road transport fuel suppliers starting 2027, unless oil and gas prices are exceptionally high.
IRU warns against EU dictating private operators’ market choices
Transport operators should be able to choose from the options available in a free market. The European Commission’s Greening Corporate Fleets initiative must incentivise transport operators to purchase zero-emission vehicles, not force them.
Flagship EU hydrogen truck project kicks off in Brussels
IRU and three of its EU members have joined the H2Accelerate TRUCKS project to propel the decarbonisation of long-haul trucks across the European Union. IRU, together with its members from Austria (WKÖ), Italy (FIAP) and Romania (UNTRR), have joined one of the EU’s biggest zero-emission vehicle projects.
Greening road transport: IRU members adopt key positions
Coming together for their biannual meetings, IRU’s EU passenger and goods transport members adopted key sector positions aimed at reducing pollutant emissions and decarbonising corporate fleets. The European Commission’s proposal on Euro 7 emission standards is on the to-do list of EU legislators.
Dense EU charging and refuelling network needed to meet CO₂ targets
A timely roll-out of alternative fuels infrastructure is a basic requirement for a large-scale shift to zero-emission vehicles, but Member States show no sign of supporting this ambition. Earlier this month, the EU Commission released its long-awaited proposal on CO₂ standards for heavy-duty vehicles.
IRU at UN Inland Transport Committee: highlights of the week
IRU was involved in a wide range of activities at the UN’s 85th Inland Transport Committee (ITC) session this week, driving road transport forward with its members, governments and international organisations. It was a busy week in Geneva. Road transport actors from around the world were in town for the 85th ITC session, including delegations from the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE)’s 56 member states and far beyond.
No silver bullet: leader in alternative fuels network talks decarbonisation
IRU member DKV Mobility boasts one of the largest networks of alternative energy solutions in Europe. We sat down with Marc Erkens, DKV Mobility’s Head of Sustainability and New Mobility, to discuss how the company is helping its customers decarbonise, and the challenges that lie ahead.
Road transport organisations ink agreement to tackle major challenges
IRU and the International Road Federation (IRF) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to reinforce their long-standing collaboration. Road transport operators, infrastructure providers, and users are essential in connecting people, businesses, and societies all over the world.
The future of coach transport is green, inclusive and digital
IRU Secretary General has discussed the key role of coach transport in global mobility, and how governments can unleash its potential, on the occasion of Flix’s 10-year anniversary. Leading mobility provider and IRU member Flix hosted a panel discussion with high-level institutional and industry experts to celebrate its 10-year anniversary. The panel focused on the future of mobility and lessons learnt from the successes and challenges of the past.
Some pragmatism in updated EU CO₂ rules for heavy vehicles but questions remain on viability
IRU has welcomed many aspects of the European Commission’s proposed rules on CO₂ standards for heavy-duty vehicles, however, open concerns remain. IRU calls for more pragmatism from lawmakers in the upcoming legislative process. The EU Commission has today proposed amendments to CO₂ standards for heavy-duty vehicles which propose a 100% target for the sale of zero-emission buses from 2030 and a 90% target for other heavy-duty vehicles (trucks and coaches) in a phased approach to 2040.
ALSA: Embracing new fuel technologies to decarbonise by 2035
IRU member ALSA is investing heavily in different fuel technologies to meet its objective of operating only zero-emission urban buses by 2035, and long-distance coaches by 2040, in Spain. Miguel Angel Alonso, ALSA’s Director of Engineering and European Funds, gave us an overview of the progress made so far and what lies ahead.
Industry groups warn on new EU truck CO₂ rules risk to supply chains
Brussels, 1 February 2023 – Road transport, shippers and energy groups in Europe have called for carbon neutral fuels to be recognised as a long-term decarbonisation solution, alongside electrification and hydrogen, for a well-functioning and stable EU logistics sector.
All-inclusive Emissions Trading System for road: more realistic start date
After intense negotiations, the Council of the EU, the European Parliament and the European Commission struck a deal last weekend on an Emissions Trading System (ETS) for buildings and roads (ETS II) that sees reason prevail, having taken on board the road transport industry’s critical recommendations.
Route 35 kick-off meeting: EU initiative to green automotive industry
IRU joined a group of key stakeholders invited by the European Internal Market Commissioner, Thierry Breton, to set concrete key performance indicators (KPIs) for a clean and competitive transformation of the EU’s automotive ecosystem.
TotalEnergies joins IRU to build alliances, meet environmental goals
Global multi-energy company TotalEnergies has joined IRU as its newest corporate member.
Border issues in focus as North American industry leaders meet in San Diego
IRU’s 2022 North American Transportation Forum (NATF) Leadership Dialogue has brought together senior executives from road transportation companies from Canada, Mexico and the US.
Luxembourg: the challenges of decarbonising passenger mobility
Georges Hilbert is the CEO of Sales-Lentz, a Luxembourgish operator with a wealth of experience running alternatively fuelled buses. He told us that the lack of alternative fuels infrastructure is challenging, especially as coach travel remains without proper alternatives to diesel.
IRU EU members adopt new social, environment and digitalisation positions
Members in IRU’s EU passenger, taxi and goods transport groups met in Brussels last week to debate and decide on new policy positions in three key areas.
European Parliament Transport Committee backs road transport with ambitious proposal for alternative fuels infrastructure
IRU has welcomed the European Parliament’s Transport Committee (TRAN) vote last night on their report, which amends the European Commission’s proposal for an Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR). IRU urges the full Parliament to vote for the same level of ambition in two weeks’ time.
UPS: Delivering sustainable logistics and smart recharging
We spoke with UPS about the company’s environmental vision, the importance of maintaining renewable biofuels as an option for the sector, the need for investment support in establishing reliable and smart electric recharging grids and what steps UPS is taking to reach its goal of fuelling 40% of ground operations with alternative fuels by 2025.
Flagship UN conventions support LLDC post-pandemic recovery
Turkmenistan’s Caspian Sea town of Awaza hosted the Ministerial Transport Conference of Landlocked Developing Countries, which was organised jointly by the Government of Turkmenistan and the Office of the High Representative for Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States. The high-level event brought together representatives from 39 countries and 34 international organisations.