Newsroom

IRU, the European Transport Workers’ Federation and the European Secure Parking Organisation have sent a joint letter to the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President, Roxana Mînzatu, urging concrete steps to accelerate the development of safe and secure truck parking areas across the EU.

IRU joined the European Commission’s Implementation Dialogue on Fair Labour Mobility in Brussels yesterday, highlighting practical, future-oriented proposals to simplify the application of EU labour rules and secure a sustainable workforce.

IRU acknowledges the European Parliament’s plenary vote on the revised Package Travel Directive but warns that unresolved provisions still threaten the viability of Europe’s coach tourism sector, especially SMEs.

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.

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.

From 1 July 2026, the EU’s light freight commercial vehicles (LCVs), weighing between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes, engaged in cross-border EU services will face a regulatory revolution.

A new IRU survey has, for the first time, assessed the current decarbonisation status and future investment plans of commercial road transport operators globally.

In a letter to EU Member States, IRU has urged swift agreement on the Council’s general approach to the revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive.

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.

Following several intermediary milestones for the retrofitting of the smart tachograph version 2 (G2V2), the final deadline for heavy-duty vehicles has arrived.

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.

The European travel and tourism sector has expressed deep concern over the European Commission’s recent proposal to increase the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) travel authorisation fee from EUR 7 to EUR 20 per application, nearly a threefold increase compared to the original amount agreed in 2018.

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.

The European Commission’s proposal to extend toll exemptions for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles is a welcome step but broader Eurovignette reforms are still urgently needed.

Strengthening Brazil’s logistics, accelerating decarbonisation, and implementing the TIR system were at the heart of a high-level meeting between IRU, NTC&Logística and Brazil’s Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin.

IRU welcomes progress on the Package Travel Directive but urges fairer rules for coach tourism operators.

As the EU looks to strengthen working conditions, invest in skills, and modernise infrastructure, IRU and UNTRR met EU Executive VP Roxana Mînzatu to discuss practical solutions for drivers and operators alike.

Road transport operators are beginning to invest in new vehicles. But for the decarbonisation transition to succeed, the sector needs clear, coordinated support. EU policymakers and road transport industry leaders are coming together to debate practical and scalable solutions to deliver environmental and economic benefits at IRU’s high-level event tomorrow in Brussels.

IRU welcomes today’s vote by the European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism Committee endorsing the provisional Driving Licence Directive agreement reached during trilogue. This follows recent formal approval by the Council’s Committee of Permanent Representatives, the first of the EU co-legislators to back the deal. The reform responds to long-standing industry calls to address driver shortages and promote the digitalisation of driving licences while upholding high road safety standards.

The Upply x Ti x IRU European road freight rates index for Europe shows that Q1 2025 contract rates fell by 2.3 points quarter on quarter (q-o-q). Spot rates declined more sharply, 3.8 points q-o-q. However, the spot index was up by 1.6 points, and the contract index rose by 0.4 points, year on year (y-o-y).

IRU and the European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) have urged European Commission leaders to support the road transport sector by urgently clarifying how EU rules on posted driver pay are applied by Member States.

IRU welcomes Germany’s coalition agreement as a step forward for a pragmatic and enabling approach to decarbonising commercial road transport. But the lack of concrete support measures for clean fuels alongside zero-emission vehicles is a missed opportunity.

The European Commission’s proposal for the revision of the Roadworthiness Package is a timely and necessary step to modernise outdated EU rules. It strikes a positive balance between enhancing road safety and embracing digital solutions, while avoiding unnecessary burdens for commercial road transport operators.

IRU’s latest global truck driver shortage report is out. While unfilled positions in 2024 were similar to 2023 due to easing transport demand, alarming figures show a widening age chasm between young and older driver employment rates. But salaries and job satisfaction remain high.

IRU and Lease Europe brought together EU lawmakers and industry leaders in Strasbourg today to chart a realistic path forward to green corporate fleets.

IRU welcomes the EU’s targeted amendment introducing flexibility for manufacturers to reach car and van CO₂ emission reduction targets, but calls for a broader, accelerated revision to support realistic decarbonisation.

Third-country drivers working in the European Union deserve full respect and support.

IRU welcomes the provisional agreement reached following trilogue negotiations between EU institutions on the revision of the EU Driving Licence Directive. The outcome reflects long-standing priorities of the road transport sector and supports efforts to ensure road safety and alleviate the growing shortage of professional drivers.

Iraq is set to reap the benefits of the global TIR transit system when it goes live next week in the country, marking a new era in international logistics and trade.

IRU welcomes the European Commission’s Industrial Action Plan for the European Automotive Sector, particularly the focus on incentives and better infrastructure access to support commercial road transport operators’ uptake of zero-emission vehicles. However, IRU remains deeply concerned about the lack of technology options for road transport – only battery-electric technology is promoted as a clean solution – and the potential purchasing mandates for corporate fleets.

Over 20 organisations have called on the European Commission to conduct an early, technology-neutral revision of the CO₂ standard regulations, and provide the enabling conditions and incentives needed for a further uptake of clean vehicles.

The Clean Industrial Deal recognises the role of competitiveness in achieving decarbonisation goals. However, it overlooks critical sectors that support manufacturing and provide essential clean mobility services. Ensuring all decarbonisation solutions are implemented in a cost-effective manner is equally essential.

IRU joined the European Commission and industry leaders at the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the European Automotive Industry today, reinforcing the need for a realistic approach to the clean mobility transition.

IRU and industry partners have signed an open letter urging EU Member States and the European Commission to preserve and strengthen dedicated European transport funding in the next EU budget. The call comes as discussions intensify on the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework review, which will shape the bloc’s budget priorities for the coming years.

The Upply x Ti x IRU European road freight rates index shows that the contract index rose by 2.8 points quarter on quarter (q-o-q) in Q4 2024, while the spot rate index increased by 0.5 points. Year on year (y-o-y), the spot and contract indices are down by 1.0 point and 1.4 points, respectively.