The new rules for the production of green trucks were approved by the Transport Committee (TRAN) of the European Parliament.
On 18 March, the TRAN MEPs backed the Commission proposal for the designing of green trucks. The new design rules aim toimprove truck’s bodywork streamlining to cut pollutant emissions. Moreover, the new design rules will make it easier for truck drivers to see pedestrians and cyclists. Lead MEP Jörg Leichtfried (S&D, AT), said that the new draft rules will allow designers to put better trucks on the road that improve road safety and reduce environmental damage. The draft rules would allow for instance truck cabins to be made longer if designed to cut emissions, or to prevent accidents.
In regard with the issue of mega-lorries the Parliament’s Committee requested from the European Commission to review its proposal. “On the issue of ‘megatrucks’ Parliament has always asked the European Commission for a proper impact assessment. By deleting the parts of the legislative proposal on cross-border circulation for longer vehicles, we reinforce this position. The Commission will be asked to review the situation and report back to the Parliament and the Council by 2016,” Mr. Leichtfried stressed.
TRAN also said that in order to encourage the use of less polluting motors for trucks in the internal market, trucks and busses with low-carbon alternatives could exceed the current maximum weight by up to one tonne, depending on the weight of the alternative system. According to the MEPs, many environmentally-friendly motors are heavier and hence less commercially attractive than traditional ones.
The draft rules for the promotionof green trucks in the internal market are to be put to a vote by Parliament as a whole on 13 April.