CO2 HDV regulations explained

Trucks, buses and coaches are responsible for more than a quarter of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from road transport in the European Union (EU), and account for over 6% of total EU GHG emissions. Increasing freight traffic is partially responsible for this growth and the EU is introducing bold new targets to reduce emissions and meet future net zero objectives. 

The regulatory landscape

The EU’s overarching mission of climate neutrality by 2050 has influenced policies across industry and can be seen in the amended CO₂ emissions standards aimed at reducing emissions from heavy-duty vehicles - which have grown by 25% since 1990¹. Over a period of 15 years starting in 2025, the updated CO₂ HDV legislation mandates reducing emissions levels for vehicle manufacturers, in a bid to drive wider adoption of low- and zero-emission technologies. 

What is the new EU CO₂ legislation?

The regulation, which has now been published in the Official Journal of the EU, amends the 2019/1242 regulation to make almost all new heavy-duty vehicles - including commercial and vocational trucks, urban buses and coaches – subject to stricter carbon emissions reduction targets. 

The target for trucks, coaches and inter-urban buses is a 90% reduction in CO₂ emissions per km from new vehicles by 2040. The mandatory reductions begin in 2025 and increase over the years as demonstrated in table1.

Note: Reduction targets and applicable baseline years differ across vehicle sub-groups. The table above represents trucks from 5-16 tonnes, 4x2 and 6x2 trucks of all weights, coaches and inter-urban buses. 

For most city bus applications, these targets have shorter deadlines still - by 2035 all new urban buses need to be zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs). 

The EU plans to review its regulation by 2027, including a progress report on the development of recharging and refueling infrastructure for alternative fuels. Regulators will decide whether to increase the regulation's stringency or reconsider it if infrastructure availability hinders adoption.

The bulk of the responsibility for meeting the CO₂ emissions targets currently rests on vehicle OEMs, since carbon reductions will be measured on a fleet average basis using data from the VECTO tool.

What will Cummins do to support vehicle OEMs?

For many heavy-duty applications, diesel engines are currently the most advanced, practical solution available on the market. They are more powerful and reliable than they’ve ever been, while producing lower tailpipe emissions than ever before. Advancing our internal combustion engine technology to include renewable natural gas and zero-carbon hydrogen fuel options, puts our customers on the path to reducing tailpipe emissions now. Hydrogen internal combustion engine technology is increasingly discussed as a practical way to reach near-zero carbon emissions at the tailpipe using a familiar technology. Indeed, H₂-ICE meets the EU’s proposed criteria for zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV).

As we move forward, we’re simultaneously progressing zero-emissions power including hydrogen fuel cells and battery-electric technologies. Cummins battery-electric and fuel cell products are already being integrated into rail and bus applications, in duty-cycles where it makes sense for our customers and their communities, and where there is the necessary infrastructure available.

For Cummins, our goal is to continue to develop this broad portfolio of solutions to support our customers in reducing carbon emissions from vehicle tailpipes. By ensuring OEMs have access to a range of power options for multiple use-cases, we can provide the necessary tools to meet future emissions regulations, and to support the global quest to decarbonise.