European Rail Freight Association (ERFA): Joint Statement - Weights and Dimensions Directive (4 December 2025)
When it presented the Greening Freight Transport Package in summer 2023, the European Commission promised “more economic gains with less environmental impact.” With today’s adoption by the Council of a general approach on the weights and dimensions of commercial road vehicles, the road transport sector can expect economic gains – but society will have to wait for any reduction of the environmental footprint of logistics.
European associations representing rail and intermodal freight transport wish to highlight the damaging impact that the proposal may have by consciously widening the competitiveness gap that has disadvantaged rail freight for far too long.
We recall that the weights and dimensions proposal was meant to go hand in hand with the revision of the Combined Transport Directive. Achieving a positive and ambitious result in that revision was – and remains – essential to ensure that all land transport modes become more efficient, contribute to more sustainable European logistics, and support the EU in meeting its Clean Industrial Deal targets by incentivising rail and intermodal freight transport solutions. In that respect, the intention of the Commission (2026 work programme) to withdraw the proposed revision of the Combined Transport Directive – part of the same Greening Freight Transport Package – is a negative signal and should be kept in mind when assessing the weights and dimensions proposal.
https://erfarail.eu/news/joint-statement-weights-and-dimensions-directive#

European Federation for Transport and Environment AISBL: Member states seize last chance to unlock clean truck deal (December 4, 2025)
EU government ministers sign off on new Weights & Dimensions which grant trucks extra weight to accommodate heavier zero-emission technologies
After more than two years of deadlock EU government ministers have finally unlocked negotiations on rules to grant trucks extra weight to accommodate heavier clean technologies. This was the last chance to move forward with the file, and clears the way for trilogue talks.
The Council’s position will increase the weight allowance of some electric and hydrogen articulated trucks from two to four tonnes. These trucks will now be able to drive further on a single charge, without compromising on the load they can carry. This is a big step forward to boost zero-emission trucking and sends a strong message to truckmakers looking to invest in clean trucks, T&E says.
Bernardo Galantini, Freight Officer at T&E, said “Member states have finally shifted gear after years of delay, pulling this deal back when it risked slipping away. Although there is still room for improvement, giving some zero-emission trucks an extra four tonnes will allow these models to carry full loads farther. Truckmakers now have the green light and should scale up investments in clean trucks”.
https://www.transportenvironment.org/articles/member-states-seize-last-chance-to-unlock-clean-truck-deal

Association des Constructeurs Européens d’Automobiles (ACEA): Council approach on Weights and Dimensions: adoption leaves key gaps for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles (4 December 2025)
Brussels, 4 December 2025 – The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) warns that, despite political efforts, today’s adoption of the Council’s general approach on Weights and Dimensions Directive falls short of what is needed to accelerate decarbonisation of the transport sector.
ACEA’s commercial vehicle manufacturers acknowledge the leadership of the Danish Council Presidency in negotiating a General Approach on the revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive. This is a complex and technically demanding file which is a critical element of the enabling conditions framework for the Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) transition of the heavy-duty road transport sector. 
However, the text adopted today falls short of what is needed to accelerate the deployment of zero-emission trucks, buses and coaches. Europe has set the world’s most ambitious CO2-reduction targets for heavy-duty vehicles. To meet them, zero-emission solutions must become the fully competitive go-to choice for transport operators in every segment and across all EU countries.
https://www.acea.auto/press-release/council-approach-on-weights-and-dimensions-adoption-leaves-key-gaps-for-zero-emission-heavy-duty-vehicles/

Stichwörter: Pressemitteilungen zur Weights and Dimensions Directive, Greening Freight Transport, European Commission, economic gains, environmental impact, weights and dimensions, road transport, rail freight, intermodal transport, Combined Transport Directive, Clean Industrial Deal, zero-emission trucks, electric trucks, hydrogen trucks, decarbonisation, CO2-reduction targets

Kategorie(n): Gesundheit & Umwelt, Mobilität & Verkehr

Weitere Pressemitteilung(en) zu diesem Themenbereich:

ERFA European Rail Freight Association: Study on Weights and Dimensions - Impacts of the Proposed Amendments to the Weights and Dimensions Directive on Combined Transport and Rail Freight Transport
https://www.erfarail.eu/uploads/2024-01-11_Study_WeightsDimensions%20-%20Phase%20II_v1.1-1704972732.pdf