Europaudvalget 2021-22
EUU Alm.del Bilag 390
Offentligt
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The Danish Government’s position to the public consultation on the revision
of the Regulation setting CO
2
emission standards for new heavy-duty vehi-
cles
Denmark strongly welcomes the European Commission’s plan to present a pro-
posal for a revision of the Regulation setting CO
2
emission standards for new
heavy-duty vehicles.
The transport sector accounts for almost a quarter of all EU greenhouse gas emis-
sions, and road transport alone is responsible for a fifth of the emissions in the EU.
The transport sector is a major cause of air pollution in our cities. Ambitious and
swift action is needed to spur the transition necessary to reach the EU’s 2030 cli-
mate target and climate neutrality by 2050.
It will be crucial to adopt legislation that is fully in line with the EU’s climate objec-
tives and provides certainty for manufacturers, investors, consumers, and citizens
by clearly signaling the transition towards zero-emission road transport.
Strengthened CO
2
emission targets
A revision of the regulation setting CO
2
emission performance standards for new
heavy-duty vehicles should include a thorough examination of which elements in
the current legislation that can be strengthened to ensure more ambition – from the
CO
2
emission targets, the incentive mechanism, the pooling mechanism and to the
various derogations. Moreover, an interim target before 2030 could be considered
in order to ensure a timely and continuous phase in of zero emission heavy-duty
vehicles. With the transition towards zero-emission road transport in mind, it is clear
that the current CO
2
emission targets must be strengthened significantly.
Extension of the scope of the Regulation
Trucks accounts for almost a quarter of CO
2
emissions from road transport, while in
2019 they only accounted for less than 2 pct. of the vehicles on the road in Eu-
rope
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. The scope of the regulation should be extended to more of the currently un-
regulated vehicles categories, in order to increase the CO
2
-reduction from road
transport.
Mechanism to provide incentives for zero- and low-emission vehicles
The industry is already investing in the green transition. Several truck manufactur-
ers have announced plans to transition to zero emissions vehicles, i.e. by ending
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Source: ACEA
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 EUU, Alm.del - 2021-22 - Bilag 390: Regeringens høringssvar om revision af præstationsnormer til tunge køretøjers CO2-udledning
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the development of the internal combustion engines for trucks as well as by setting
sales targets for zero emission heavy-duty vehicles. In light of the current energy
situation, focusing on the transition to zero emissions vehicles has become even
more important. The regulation should facilitate the transition to zero emission vehi-
cles.
Excluding the contribution of renewable and low-carbon fuel
Renewable and low-carbon fuels are regulated under the Renewable Energy Di-
rective II contributing with greenhouse gas reductions from fossil-based fuels used
in fossil-fueled vehicles. Allowing a mechanism to take into account contributions
from renewable and low-carbon fuel in the regulation on CO
2
emissions standards
for heavy-duty vehicles could lower the incentives to develop and produce zero
emissions vehicles. The regulation in question should provide the framework for the
transition to zero emission heavy-duty vehicles. Therefore, the option should not be
included but regulated separately as a transitionary measure on the road to climate
neutrality.
Cost-effective implementation of the standards
If the level of ambition is set sufficiently high, all manufacturers will have to ensure
the transition of their vehicle fleet. The pooling mechanism can ensure that manu-
facturers are granted flexibility to implement the CO
2
emission standards in a cost-
effective manner.
The use of revenues from any fines to a specific fund
The excess emissions premiums to be paid by manufacturers if their average spe-
cific emissions of CO
2
exceed their targets must continue entering the general
budget of the Union as other revenue and thereby be part of the overall prioritisa-
tion of expenditure in the general budgetary procedure.
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