Milence has joined a broad coalition of transport operators, energy providers, and other industry stakeholders in calling for a 2035 zero-emissions target for new trucks. In a letter to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Vice President Frans Timmermans, the 44 companies and organisations say that the target would provide investment certainty for vehicle manufacturers to increase their electric and zero-emission offerings.
Major truck manufacturers have already announced that half of their sales will be zero emission by 2030, but binding rules are needed to ensure that investments happen on time. The 2035 deadline is not just feasible but necessary to fully replace the fossil-powered truck fleet in time for the EU to reach climate neutrality by 2050. The EU Commission will publish its proposal for new truck CO2 targets in the coming months.
The signatories also call on EU lawmakers to swiftly finalise ambitious charging and refuelling infrastructure targets. The 44 companies and organisations, which include Milence, Siemens, Maersk, Unilever and PepsiCo, note that the deployment of an adequate charging infrastructure with sufficient grid capacity is crucial for the industry to transition to zero-emission trucks and ensure that these can operate seamlessly across the EU.
“We are well-prepared to start rolling out our network of public charge points for heavy-duty vehicles across Europe. With added incentives and binding zero-emissions targets, we can speed up the necessary transition,” says Milence CEO Anja van Niersen. “Large transport buyers and operators have shown their commitment to decarbonisation. Now they need assurances that vehicle manufacturers can swiftly increase the supply of trucks and that the necessary targets and incentives are in place for infrastructure expansion to facilitate a smooth transition.”