EU road transport operators are committed to decarbonising.
Every day, trucks, buses, coaches and taxis keep people and goods moving, powering our economy and society.
Achieving net-zero emissions requires more than ambition, it needs the right enabling conditions, particularly infrastructure and financing.
IRU works with EU policymakers to make the transition possible for the industry and for everyone who depends on its vital services.
The challenge
Operators are already investing in zero-emission vehicles. But they are facing major barriers:
- High costs and limited financing: Electric trucks can cost up to three times more than diesel ones, with few affordable options for SMEs
- Infrastructure and grid gaps: Europe needs ten times more charging points, faster grid connections, and simpler permitting processes
The sector’s wide range of operational requirements means that electricity will not work for every sub-category of commercial road transport.
The solution
IRU calls for realistic and enabling policies that make decarbonisation feasible for all operators:
- Build infrastructure and grid capacity: Accelerate rollout of public and depot-based charging and refuelling networks
- Support investment: Use ETS2, EU funds and national aid schemes to help transport operators finance clean fleets and the depot charging that they build
- Ensure suitability: Avoid one-size-fits-all mandates and support all viable decarbonisation pathways for the diverse types of operations in road transport
Decarbonisation must work for everyone.
With the right enabling conditions, Europe can achieve a practical and competitive green transition that keeps people and goods moving.
Greening fleets: the transition’s true enablers
EU road transport operators are committed to decarbonising.
Every day, trucks, buses, coaches and taxis keep people and goods moving, powering our economy and society.
Achieving net-zero emissions requires more than ambition, it needs the right enabling conditions, particularly infrastructure and financing.
IRU works with EU policymakers to make the transition possible for the industry and for everyone who depends on its vital services.
The challenge
Operators are already investing in zero-emission vehicles. But they are facing major barriers:
The sector’s wide range of operational requirements means that electricity will not work for every sub-category of commercial road transport.
The solution
IRU calls for realistic and enabling policies that make decarbonisation feasible for all operators:
Decarbonisation must work for everyone.
With the right enabling conditions, Europe can achieve a practical and competitive green transition that keeps people and goods moving.
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