IRU sets scene on commercial road transport decarbonisation ahead of COP28
Speaking at the World Green Economy Summit in Dubai today, IRU has outlined a realistic and practical roadmap to effectively decarbonise commercial road transport without undermining vital mobility and logistics services.
Transport companies and unions sign sustainability and just transition pact
IRU and ITF have reinforced their commitment to drive a just transition and improve the accessibility and attractiveness of the commercial driver profession with a Just Transition for Transport pledge.
EU truck and bus CO₂ vote made even worse by absurd mandatory purchase idea
The European Parliament's plenary vote on CO₂ emission targets for heavy-duty vehicles today sets unrealistic targets for zero-emission vehicles, feebly tries to factor the role of carbon neutral fuels in decarbonisation, and attempts to bring the EU transport sector in line with totalitarian regimes by mandating purchase targets for transport operators.
Operators, drivers and parking groups call for urgent EU truck parking deal
The ongoing revision of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) Regulation is of critical importance to the EU’s road transport sector. An agreement between legislators is desperately needed, followed by commitment from Member States.
New combined transport proposal could harm efficient intermodal cooperation
Despite hopes to the contrary, the European Commission’s long-overdue legislative proposal to amend the Combined Transport Directive could harm efficient intermodal cooperation, instead of boosting it, due to the ambiguous incentive framework for combined and intermodal freight.
ENVI narrowly fails to capitalise on feasible EU mobility CO₂ solutions
In a closely contested vote, the European Parliament's environment committee has adopted the Commission’s misguided CO₂ emission reduction targets for heavy-duty vehicles. ENVI has failed to mobilise mature decarbonisation solutions, leaving a very narrow window for carbon-neutral fuels. It’s now in the hands of the Parliament’s plenary to offer a realistic and efficient decarbonisation pathway.
What next? Road transport makes its case on decarbonisation to EU MEPs
EU road transport industry leaders, joined by their American counterparts, were at the European Parliament to outline why some legislators need to reassess their approach to CO₂ standards for heavy-duty vehicles.
US trucking in global dialogue with IRU on industry challenges
IRU’s Secretary General unpacked pressing developments, particularly driver shortages and decarbonisation, facing the trucking industry in the United States and beyond at ATA’s Management Conference & Exhibition.
Council largely backs EU Commission’s CO₂ targets for heavy-duty vehicles
The European Council has disappointedly voted in support of the Commission’s overly ambitious CO₂ emission reduction targets for trucks and coaches. However, IRU welcomes the more realistic, nuanced targets for buses and leaving breathing space for high-capacity heavy trucks. These targets will determine the future of energy and heavy-duty vehicle production in the EU.
EU Council sees sense on Euro 7 emission standards
IRU welcomes the adoption of the Councils’ general approach on Euro 7. This followed repeated calls from IRU and the road transport sector to establish a more pragmatic approach to emission standards, better balancing overall costs and benefits.
European Parliament: TRAN proposes realistic decarbonisation path
IRU welcomes the vote in the European Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) on new CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles, setting a realistic pace for road transport decarbonisation and preserving essential technology options, which will include electric-battery, hydrogen fuel cell and combustion engines based on carbon-neutral fuels or hydrogen, in line with the sector’s needs and calls.
Better CO₂ rules needed to boost sustainable EU mobility and logistics
In a letter to EU legislators, IRU and CLEPA call for the preservation of essential technology options under the new CO₂ standards proposal. An open-technology approach is required to decarbonise road transport while continuing to effectively meet the needs of EU citizens, businesses and economies.
IRU outlines decarbonisation transition scenarios in United Arab Emirates
The latest UAE National Dialogue for Climate Ambition, focused on mobility, took place this week in Abu Dhabi. IRU outlined key scenarios to achieve net zero CO₂ emissions in commercial road transport.
MODALES delivers low-emission driving techniques
There are plenty of proposed legislative and technological solutions to reduce road vehicle emissions. The EU-funded MODALES project took a different approach: it focused on driver behaviour. The results are now in.
EU Greening Transport Package: IRU warns against rushed action
IRU welcomes the Greening Transport Package unveiled today by the European Commission. The package’s revision of EU rules on weights and dimensions and the new CountEmissions EU initiative signal EU policymakers’ willingness to further decarbonise the transport sector.
EU road transport shapes its driver shortage, CO₂ and coach tourism stance
IRU members have agreed on new positions to tackle driver shortages, decarbonise realistically, and give coach drivers’ rest time rules suited to their responsibilities.
Road transport regulation harmonisation remains key as UN GTRs turns 25
The UN has marked the 25th anniversary of the 1998 agreement on Global Technical Regulations (GTRs) as IRU continues to stress the need for harmonised road transport regulation in the face of new challenges and opportunities.
IRU and TOBB review key trade and transport challenges
Schengen visas, digitalisation, decarbonisation and the TIR system topped the agenda today as IRU’s Secretary General and the President of IRU member the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Türkiye (TOBB) reviewed road transport facilitation challenges and opportunities.
EU intelligent systems deal backs safe, efficient and green mobility
IRU welcomes the provisional agreement reached last week to increase the deployment of intelligent transport systems (ITS) on European roads. EU Member States must now include road transport data on their National Access Points by the end of 2025.
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.