UETR acknowledges progress made with the EP vote on revision of the weights and dimensions directive 

14 Mar UETR acknowledges progress made with the EP vote on revision of the weights and dimensions directive 

UETR acknowledges progress made with the vote of the Plenary Session of the European Parliament on the revision of the Directive 96/53/EC on the maximum weights and dimensions of heavy-duty vehicles. 

The clarity of rules provided is positive and UETR stresses the importance of the EU to legally allow cross-border traffic of 44-tons combinations through a wide and uniform system for a level playing field in the sector. 

Progressing the European Modular Systems (“EMS”) in international road freight transport is an opportunity to deliver environmental sustainability with more efficiency, higher capacity, increased productivity, and a way to mitigate the growing labour shortages in the sector.

As zero-emission or hybrid vehicle technology brings additional weight to the vehicles, the new approach is positive as it will increase the payload.

On the phase out timeline, with only companies operating with zero-emission trucks allowed from 2035. For a successful green transition a holistic approach is required, from robust scrappage schemes to the effective deployment and availability of the alternative fuels infrastructure and widespread measures to address high energy prices. However, the timeline of a workable and successful ecological transition of the sector is still uncertain. A longer term would be preferred as there are still operational and infrastructural challenges to be overcome in the years to come.

UETR believes that the new framework has to facilitate the allowance of 44 tons for any vehicle in the long term, independently of the source of energy used – being the energy mix and technology neutrality the best approach to deliver decarbonization.

A level playing field will avoid hauliers to deal with different operational environments and might also encourage greater investment in a more efficient manner by SMEs, provided they have the certainty that heavier and longer vehicles they purchase can carry out transport activities in the EU territory.