Major European transport and logistics associations have expressed strong concern over proposed EU rules requiring mandatory zero-emission truck purchases or use targets, arguing that such mandates could hamper market-led decarbonisation and place undue strain on freight-dependent businesses. Four prominent groups — representing road transport operators, freight forwarders, shippers and cold-chain logistics — jointly wrote to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to outline their objections.
In their 10 October letter, signatories from the International Road Transport Union (IRU), the European Association for Forwarding, Transport, Logistics and Customs Services (CLECAT), the European Shippers’ Council (ESC), and the Global Cold Chain Alliance (GCCA) acknowledged the goal of decarbonising road freight but cautioned that binding purchase or use mandates could slow progress rather than accelerate it. They warned that such targets would impose disproportionate burdens on smaller operators — particularly SMEs and micro-enterprises that make up more than 95 % of Europe’s road transport sector — potentially disrupting logistics networks and competitiveness.
The industry coalition also noted technical and operational barriers to electrification in certain segments such as cold-chain logistics, construction and specialised freight, where current zero-emission truck technology may not yet be practical or cost-effective for all use cases. Rather than across-the-board mandates, the groups are calling for targeted incentives, accelerated investment in depot and public charging infrastructure, and a financing framework that drives decarbonisation through supportive conditions rather than punitive obligations.
Trade bodies argue that progress is already underway — including a notable increase in zero-emission heavy-duty vehicle sales in early 2025 — but enabling conditions such as charging networks, grid capacity and financing tools must keep pace to ensure a sustainable transition without undermining logistics operations.
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