The European Parliament backed a 2030 deadline on Tuesday for every new urban bus registered in the European Union (EU) to be zero-emission and essentially electric – five years ahead of the Council's 2035 recommendation.
A grace period until 2035 is proposed for the biomethane-powered buses, accommodating cities that have invested in the use of this fuel.
Detailed negotiations are now set to occur between the two parties, focusing on this measure within the broader context of reviewing CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles.
Unlike the 2035 ban on selling new petrol and diesel cars and vans, the heavy goods sector faces a 45% CO2 reduction goal by 2030 (currently at 30%), 65% by 2035, and 90% by 2040, compared to 1990 levels.
Along these lines, the Parliament's vote aligns with the Commission's proposal (445 votes in favour to 152 against and 30 abstentions), as does the Council's decision. The Environmental Committee's (ENVI) attempt to elevate the 2035 target from 65% to 70% was thwarted by right-wing members of Parliament.
Exemptions have been promised for specific vehicles, such as fire engines or slow-moving agricultural machinery. However, lawmakers aim to broaden the proposal's scope by incorporating, for instance, trucks lighter than five tonnes and business vehicles such as waste-collecting trucks, cement mixers, street cleaners, among others.
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Negotiations between Member States will also aim to finalise definitions of carbon-neutral or bio-sourced fuels, including synthetic fuels.
Pascal Canfin, head of ENVI, noted that most manufacturers believe the best technologies for officially lowering carbon emissions for trucks, buses and coaches would use either hydrogen, battery power, or a combination of both.
Bas Eickhout (Greens/EFA), the rapporteur of the text, expressed his satisfaction that the Parliament had repelled a part of the right-wing's attempt to include the aforementioned 'e-fuels'.
Heavy goods vehicles account for over 25% of greenhouse gas emissions from road transport within the EU, and more than 6% of the EU's total greenhouse gas emissions.
