Parliament extends toll exemption: IRU urges wider green incentives
IRU welcomes the European Parliament’s vote to fast-track an extension of toll exemptions for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) under the Eurovignette Directive. The measure, if confirmed, will prolong the current exemption from 31 December 2025 to 30 June 2031, providing critical financial certainty for operators investing in clean vehicle technology.
Green, smart and inclusive: Tackling road transport’s ‘three Ds’
One of the most complex transformations facing modern businesses is the management of corporate fleets. From decarbonisation and digitalisation to chipping away at the informal economy, Edenred’s unique insights chart a practical path forward for Europe and Latin America.
EU Commission Vice-President stresses urgent need for secure truck parking
The European Commission Vice-President for Jobs and Skills, Roxana Mînzatu, visited several truck parking areas in Belgium this week to witness first-hand the extreme disparity in conditions, ranging from a state-of-the-art facility to a site lacking even basic services.
US truck tonnage rose 0.6% in July
IRU member the American Trucking Associations (ATA) has been calculating the tonnage index based on surveys from its membership since the 1970s. Here are the results for July 2025.
IRU calls for EU-wide enforcement grace period for new customs entry rules
In an urgent letter to the European Commission, IRU is calling for a six-month EU-wide enforcement grace period for the EU’s new customs import control system for goods moved by road (ICS2 release 3), warning of major disruptions at external land borders from 1 September 2025.
Trade with China: Five new fast routes
Fast, secure, reliable. The TIR system is driving ever more trade with China through new routes.
‘Political will is all we need’: IRU Secretary General at UN summit
Lowering trade and transit costs for landlocked countries could be as simple as signing one tried-and-tested UN convention, said Umberto de Pretto. Speaking at the Third UN Conference for Landlocked Developing Countries in Awaza, Turkmenistan, he called on governments to join the TIR Convention without delay.
From weeks to days: New Türkiye–Jordan trade corridor open for business
Five weeks to transport goods from Istanbul to Amman? No, more like five days.
European road freight rates converge
The Upply x Ti x IRU study on European road freight rates has found that the contract and spot rate indexes converged at 132.2 in Q2 2025. The benchmark spot rate index declined by 2.2 points quarter on quarter (q-o-q), while the contract rate index inched up by 1.2 points over the same period. Year on year (y-o-y), spot rates are down by 2.0 points, whereas contract rates have risen slightly by 0.7 points. Spot rates are now at their lowest level since Q4 2023.
How to improve trade in Greater Mekong
More than 300 million people in the Greater Mekong region would benefit from seamless trade enabled by the global TIR transit system.
Road transport powers resilience and sustainability, says IRU at China expo
The Belt and Road Initiative has opened vast opportunities for global trade. Yet its full potential remains untapped. Harmonised measures are needed.
Skyrocketing cargo theft: US trucking pushes Congress for solutions
A leading, nationwide trucking company has told the United States Senate Judiciary Committee that cargo theft is a crisis impacting the entire supply chain – to the tune of USD 35 billion annually – that requires immediate action from Congress.
Voices from the ground: How China is mobilising the TIR system
The TIR transit system is cutting transport times, opening new trade routes, and boosting the security of operations along the Trans-Caspian corridor.
Incentives, not obligations, key to success: IRU at EU fleets dialogue
At today’s high-level dialogue on accelerating the transition to zero-emission corporate fleets in the EU, IRU’s President stressed the importance of removing real-world barriers, rather than imposing damaging, counterproductive mandates.
Valuing our heroes: A morning with truck drivers
Truck drivers keep our world running. Yet their crucial role often goes unnoticed. We recently spent the morning with them to reinforce our recognition of their work and gain additional firsthand insights into their lives on the road.
What you need to know: English rules for truck drivers in the US
Foreign truck drivers operating in the US have long been required to demonstrate English proficiency. A recent executive order under the Trump administration has elevated failure to comply from a standard violation to an out-of-service condition. What does this mean in practical terms?
New wave of experts explores smarter regulation in China
The recent Go-YEEP Forum fostered a vibrant spirit of cooperation on smart road transport regulations during a dynamic international event held across three major Chinese cities.
New Türkiye–Kuwait land trade corridor via Iraq now operational
With the TIR system, the journey can now be completed ten times faster.
Raising the bar in India: Defensive driving and dangerous goods transport
The transport of dangerous goods demands knowledge, skills and vigilance. From hands-on firefighting drills to mastering ADR regulations, India’s drivers are gaining the expertise required to transport dangerous goods safely and efficiently, along with defensive driving skills.
The direct express: enhanced China-Europe connectivity
How can we best support trade flows along the booming Trans-Caspian Corridor? The key lies in international conventions, the coupling of hard and soft infrastructure, and greater international cooperation, stressed IRU’s Secretary General at the International Symposium on China-Europe Trans-Caspian Direct Express in Beijing.
Can the grid handle electric trucks?
A fully electric truck fleet in Germany would require a quarter of the electricity available for consumption today.