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EU | Brussels

Mobility Package 3: Greater uptake of new technologies will support more efficient, greener and safer road transport

18 May 2018

IRU welcomes the publication of the last part of the European Commission’s Mobility Package. The new legislative proposals on CO2 standards for Heavy Duty Vehicles (HDVs), road safety and the digitalisation of freight transport documents are a welcome push for the further modernisation of the EU road transport industry.


CO2 standards for HDVs are an important initiative to help decarbonise the road transport sector by encouraging the rapid uptake of fuel-efficient technologies and alternatively fuelled vehicles. More fuel-efficient vehicles will provide opportunities to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. However, it is essential that the standards do not drive up vehicle prices beyond the means of operators and the focus should be on CO2 reduction costs to ensure quick results. The 15% emissions reduction target for 2025 and an indicative target of 30% for 2030, based on 2019 VECTO figures, is welcomed by IRU as an ambitious target but a holistic approach on well-to-wheel emissions is needed.

The European Commission has also come forward with the proposal for an EU wide introduction of electronic freight transport documents. Faster and more transparent data input and exchange will help decrease the administrative burden, improve enforcement and make EU logistics even more robust. 

IRU has been supporting its members and the wider road transport industry, on the uptake of e-CMR, the electronic consignment note, as an important step towards fully digital transport operations. The Commission’s proposal is timely and it should build on progress made so far by the industry to establish a digital environment for information exchange in freight transport. IRU urges for the full and rapid implementation of eCMR and digital TIR.

Driver assist technologies will enhance road safety and help reduce human error as the main cause of road accidents. The proposals for a revision of the General Safety Regulation and the Infrastructure Safety Management Directive work in this direction. IRU backs the introduction of new active vehicle safety equipment such as lane departure warning and advanced emergency breaking systems for certain trucks and buses. Technologies to improve the visibility of vulnerable road users are essential. 

Matthias Maedge, who leads IRU’s work in the EU, said: “The road transport industry will continue its exemplary efforts to make its operations more sustainable and efficient. New technologies must be commercially viable for the sector and sufficient time to transition needs to be accounted for”.