The EU Parliament debates heavier trucks on EU roads
The European Union has been grappling with a contentious issue to do with road use in recent years. On Tuesday this week, in a debate involving environmental, economic and safety issues, the European Parliament voted in support of longer and heavier trucks on EU roads. This position on the Weights and Dimensions directive is in line with the stance adopted by its Committee on Transport and Tourism last month.
The reform raises the weight limit for all trucks by 4 tons, with the aim of allowing zero-emissions trucks powered by batteries and hydrogen to compete with existing diesel trucks, as the green technologies are heavier than combustion engines. MEP Isabel García Muñoz, from the S&D Group, explains their plan of “encouraging companies to move towards zero emission solutions when it comes to large scale lorries” while making “road freight transport more sustainable and safe”.
Level the playing field
The original aim of the European Commission’s proposal was to facilitate the uptake of electric trucks by increasing maximum allowed length and weight dimensions across the EU so trucks could be outfitted with batteries (heavier than combustion engines) while not compromising freight capacity. Between key national borders, until at least 2035, the weight limit of all trucks will be 44 tonnes. The revision of the weight and dimensions is seeking to comply with the principle of a fair, level playing field that should be reign in the EU internal market.
Negative reactions from environmentalists
A fault in this proposal is that all 44-tonne trucks would be able to cross member state borders, regardless of the fuel they use. Transport and Environment (T&E), an environmental organisation, stated that, “while long-distance electric trucks need the extra weight to compensate for batteries, diesel ones will simply increase their cargo ones”. Unfortunately, this has led to the proposal facing some backlash from the Greens. Irish MEP Ciarán Cuffe has highlighted how allowing for heavy trucks to cross borders would contribute to greater road degradation and increased emissions. Other concerns which were emphasised include the disadvantage this initiative will have for the rail industry. MEP García Muñoz has ensured that the rail industry will be cooperated with while road transport is made more sustainable.
EU countries still need to agree on a joint position on the draft law in the Council, before negotiations between the Commission, Council, and Parliament take place in the next legislative term. The debate is clearly complex and multifaceted, but the ultimate goal will be to obtain a balance between promoting efficiency and innovation while safe-guarding the well-being of road users and the environment.