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EU CO₂ Emission Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles

EU CO₂ Emission Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles: EU CO₂ Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles Set Deep Emission Cuts by 2040

Maílis Carrilho
Maílis Carrilho
Updated on October 26th, 2025
2 min read
Published Oct 27, 25

Summary

The EU CO₂ Emission Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles establish legally binding CO₂ reduction targets for new trucks, buses, and coaches sold in the European Union. The regulation requires manufacturers to progressively cut fleet-wide CO₂ emissions, achieving reductions of 15% by 2025, 45% by 2030, 65% by 2035, and 90% by 2040, compared with 2019–2020 levels. It forms a central pillar of the EU’s transport decarbonisation strategy and supports the transition to electric and hydrogen-based heavy vehicles. Adopted in 2019 and strengthened in 2024, the framework promotes technological innovation, sets reporting and verification obligations, and introduces super-credits for zero- and low-emission vehicles.
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Details

Jurisdictions
  • European Union
Exempted entities

The regulation is mandatory for all manufacturers placing new heavy-duty vehicles within defined categories on the EU market; it sets legally binding targets for fleet-average CO₂ emissions reductions.

Exceptions and Flexibility

Manufacturer pooling arrangements are allowed so that fleets of connected manufacturers can meet targets collectively.

Small-volume and niche manufacturers may be granted transitional or adjusted targets under specific criteria.

Zero- and low-emission vehicles receive extra credit (“super-credits”) in early compliance periods.

Certain vehicle sub-groups, such as large fixed infrastructure vehicles, or specialized vocational vehicle, may be phased into the regulation’s scope or subject to tailored sub-targets.

In summary, the regulation is a comprehensive and legally binding EU measure, with narrowly defined flexibilities designed to support the transition to zero-emission heavy-duty vehicle fleets.

Deep dive

What’s Required

This regulation sets binding fleet-average CO₂ emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks, buses, and vocational vehicles, sold in the European Union. It obliges vehicle manufacturers to reduce the average CO₂ emissions of their new vehicle fleets by specified percentages relative to a baseline period. The regulation also establishes reporting and monitoring obligations, defines vehicle sub-groups, and gives zero- and low-emission vehicles favourable weighting in compliance calculation mechanisms.

Important Deadlines

  • 2025: Manufacturers must achieve a 15% reduction in CO₂ emissions for new heavy-duty vehicles relative to the 2019/2020 baseline.

  • 2030: Target elevated to around 45% reduction under the latest amendment.

  • 2035: A further target of 65% reduction is scheduled.

  • 2040: The regulation sets a target of up to 90% reduction of CO₂ emissions for new heavy-duty vehicles.

Current Status

The regulation is fully in force across the European Union. It was originally adopted in 2019 and subsequently strengthened in May 2024 through Regulation (EU) 2024/1610, which raised ambition and expanded monitoring requirements. Manufacturers of heavy-duty vehicles must now prepare for intensified CO₂-reduction targets and increasingly stringent compliance frameworks.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Member States must establish effective, proportionate, and dissuasive penalties in their national legislation. Manufacturers that fail to meet fleet-average CO₂ targets may face fines, corrective action, restrictions on market access for new vehicles, or other sanctions under national frameworks.

Examples of Known Violations

As of now, there are no widely publicised EU-wide sanctions specifically attributed to this regulation. Enforcement and compliance investigations are ongoing at national and EU levels as new vehicle fleets and zero-emission technologies evolve.

Resources

Maílis Carrilho
Written by:
Maílis Carrilho
Sustainability Research Analyst
Maílis Carrilho is a Sustainability Research Analyst (Intern) at Net Zero Compare, contributing research and analysis on climate tech, carbon policies, and sustainable solutions. She supports the team in developing fact-based content and insights to help companies and readers navigate the evolving sustainability landscape.