Major European companies call for stricter emissions limits for freight transport

Global companies Nike, Heineken and PepsiCo are calling on the EU to raise its climate targets for trucks. They addressed European lawmakers in a letter signed by 41 transport and logistics companies, including Maersk and DFDS.

According to the letter, reported by the European Federation for Transport and Environment, more ambitious CO2 standards for 2030 and 2040 could reduce costs and accelerate large-scale production of zero-emission trucks.

The European Commission has proposed a 45% reduction in CO2 emissions for new trucks sold from 2030 (compared with 2019/2020 levels), increasing the target to 90% from 2040. EU environment ministers and the European Parliament are currently discussing the proposed standards and are expected to agree on the final regulation early next year.

According to the companies behind the open letter, more ambitious commitments would force truck manufacturers to sell more zero-emission vehicles, including electric and hydrogen-powered trucks. Increasing production could then bring down the price of these vehicles.