The International Road Transport Union (IRU) has joined leading industry stakeholders in a joint call to revise European Union CO₂ emission standards.
It is urging policymakers to embrace a technology-neutral approach to decarbonising road transport, co-signing a joint statement with the Network for Sustainable Mobility calling on the EU to ensure technology openness in the upcoming revision of CO₂ emission standards for vehicles.
Current regulations for light and heavy-duty vehicles limit the available technologies to meet decarbonisation targets. Road transport needs a technology-neutral approach, allowing for a wider range of solutions, IRU said.
“Achieving carbon neutrality in road transport will require a mix of innovative solutions, such as electrification and energy-efficiency measures, or the use of biofuels, e-fuels and other renewable fuels,” said IRU EU Director of Advocacy, Raluca Marian. “This diversity of options will enable us to decarbonise without compromising competitiveness,”
IRU and the Network stressed that all breakthrough technologies capable of reducing CO₂ emissions should be considered alongside electrification to ensure a successful transition to carbon neutrality. By broadening the scope of regulatory standards, the EU can support both decarbonisation efforts and the competitiveness of the road transport sector.
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