Heavy-duty trucks make up less than 2% of all vehicles on EU roads – but they are responsible for over 28% of all CO₂ emissions from road transport. With climate goals nearing their deadline, the EU needs to transform freight transport rapidly. Here’s how Europe plans to do achieve freight transport decarbonisation.
The European Union has committed to reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 (compared to 1990). For freight transport, the revised standards for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) are:
- 45% CO₂ reduction by 2030
- 65% by 2035
- 90% by 2040
From 2030, all new urban buses must be zero-emission.
Let’s explore zero-emission tech, depot charging gaps, rail shift targets, and national case studies om freight transport decarbonisation.
Cleaner Truck Technologies
Several technologies can replace diesel trucks. Here’s how they compare:
Projected CO₂ Emissions Reductions by HDV Technology Type (2030 vs. 2019)
| Technology | 2019 CO₂ Emissions (g/km) | 2030 CO₂ Emissions (g/km) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery-Electric Trucks | 1000 | 150 |
| Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trucks | 1000 | 300 |
| E-Fuels | 1000 | 700 |
| Diesel (baseline) | 1000 | 1000 |
- Battery-electric trucks can reduce emissions by over 90% compared to diesel.
- Hydrogen trucks require clean hydrogen to achieve meaningful reductions.
- E-fuels reduce emissions only if produced using 100% renewable electricity.
Smarter Freight Systems
Modal Shift Potential Across EU Corridors (2025–2030)
| Corridor | Current Rail Share (%) | Target Rail Share (%) |
| Rhine-Alpine | 18 | 40 |
| North Sea-Baltic | 22 | 40 |
| Mediterranean | 25 | 45 |
| Baltic-Adriatic | 20 | 42 |
- The EU aims to shift 30% of long-distance freight (>300 km) to rail or waterborne transport by 2030.
- Digital freight systems and route optimization can reduce emissions by up to 20%.
Transport Decarbonisation Infrastructure: Who Pays for It?
Infrastructure Investment Needs by Country to Meet AFIR Targets (EUR billions)
| Country | EV Charging (EUR bn) | Hydrogen Refuelling (EUR bn) |
| Germany | 12.5 | 3.5 |
| France | 10.2 | 2.8 |
| Italy | 9.1 | 2.1 |
| Poland | 6.5 | 1.9 |
| Netherlands | 3.8 | 1.1 |
- The AFIR requires EV charging stations every 60 km and hydrogen stations every 150 km on core corridors by 2030.
- Depot infrastructure remains a funding gap that must be closed for full-scale adoption.
EU Policies and Support Tools
- Carbon pricing: ETS2 will apply to road transport from 2027.
- Incentives: Dutch SMEs can receive up to 40% of the additional cost of electric trucks.
- Innovation funding: EU programs like Horizon Europe and CEF-T support zero-emission technology deployment.
Risks and Trade-Offs
- Batteries depend on critical raw materials like lithium and cobalt.
- SMEs need tailored support due to higher upfront costs compared to large fleets.
- Emission reductions rely on clean electricity and hydrogen production.
Case Studies: Member States in Action
- Germany: Focuses hydrogen station development on freight routes.
- Netherlands: Leads in e-cargo bike rollout and SME truck incentives.
- Poland: Gdansk–Katowice corridor achieved a 22% modal shift using a rail-road hub.
What Should Happen Next?
EU freight transport must transform rapidly to meet climate targets and achieve freight transport decarbonisation goals. With the right mix of policies, technologies, and support for infrastructure and SMEs, the transition to low-carbon logistics is not only possible – but necessary.
Here’s what should be done:
- Accelerate corridor and depot infrastructure deployment.
- Redirect ETS2 revenues to SME electrification and infrastructure.
- Expand intermodal rail investment.
- Scale urban logistics solutions like cargo bike networks.
- Develop battery reuse and recycling chains.
- Include clean trucks in all public procurement contracts.
Sources
Freight Emissions and Regulatory Data
Cleaner Truck Technologies
- TRATON Group (Scania) – LCA Study for Battery-Electric Trucks
- ICCT 2023 – Lifecycle Emissions Assessment for Trucks and Buses
- Carbone4 – The Reality Behind E-Fuels
Modal Shift and Rail Freight
- Rail Freight Forward – 30by2030 White Paper
- UN-Habitat – Smart Cities Outlook (2024)
Infrastructure & Investment Needs
Policy & Incentive Frameworks
Raw Materials & Recycling
Country Case Studies
