EU passes stricter rule on large vehicles despite Italian opposition

The Council of the European Union (EU) on Monday adopted new measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from large vehicles despite opposition from Italy and two other countries, reported Xinhua.

Italy's adoption rate for electric vehicles is among the lowest in the European Union. Though the government is in talks to bring an electric vehicle producer to Italy and the number of electric cars is increasing, new data shows that greenhouse gas emissions from transport continue to rise even as overall emissions have declined.

The new measure from the Council strengthens European rules for heavy-duty vehicles -- those used for commercial transport, mass transit, and recreation -- with stricter emissions targets for five-year spans starting in 2030. The new rules maintain the target of a 15-percent reduction from heavy trucks by 2025. This will rise to 45 percent in 2030, up from a previous target of 30 percent.

"More robust standards for CO2 emissions will help increase the share of zero-emission vehicles in the heavy-duty vehicle fleet across the EU, while ensuring that innovation in and the competitiveness of the sector are preserved and enhanced," the Council said in a statement.

The measure was adopted despite opposition from Italy, Poland, and Slovakia.

According to ISPRA, Italy's High Institute for Environmental Protection and Research, greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector rose 1 percent in 2023 compared to a year earlier, a trend ISPRA said was due to the relatively low penetration of electric vehicles.

Italy is in talks with a series of electric vehicle manufacturers, including China's Dongfeng and U.S.-based Tesla -- two of the world leaders in the sector, about setting up manufacturing facilities in the country.