ECG’s Response to EU Consultation on Clean corporate vehicles

ECG’s Response to EU Consultation on Clean corporate vehicles

ECG — 2025-09-10

News from ECG

ECG has submitted its position to the European Commission’s call for evidence on Clean corporate vehicles. The Clean corporate vehicles is a policy proposal intended to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in corporate fleets.

ECG cautions that mandatory quotas for zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) adoption risk damaging the industry, its competitiveness, and employment, unless the transition is made feasible through supportive policies.

Dual Exposure of the FVL Sector

ECG underlines that its members are uniquely exposed: they both operate their own fleets and serve car manufacturers already bound by decarbonisation targets. This “dual pressure,” combined with costly investments in battery-electric trucks (BETs) and insufficient charging infrastructure, could reduce fleet capacity, inflate vehicle prices, and ultimately threaten jobs across Europe’s logistics sector.

Barriers to ZEV Adoption

The submission highlights:
•    Infrastructure gaps: Grid delays, permitting obstacles, and a lack of public charging points hinder uptake.
•    Economic risks: High upfront costs and inability to pass them on to customers discourage investment.
•    Market distortions: Mandates risk forcing operators into unworkable compliance scenarios without addressing real-world barriers.

A Three-Pillar Alternative

Instead of quotas, ECG calls for a framework built on transparency, incentives, and collaboration:
1. Transparency
Standardised, harmonised emissions reporting is needed to provide reliable data. Current discrepancies between OEM-reported and logistics provider-calculated emissions can reach up to 60%, leading to poor investment decisions if left unaddressed.
2. Incentives
Voluntary adoption should be encouraged through infrastructure funding, operational subsidies, and tax measures. Surveys among ECG members show that investment appetite rises sharply if charging infrastructure is already in place. BETs are becoming more energy-efficient than diesel, but sector-specific requirements and high initial costs mean adoption must remain market-driven.
3. Collaboration
ECG urges stronger cooperation between logistics providers and carmakers, including long-term agreements to justify green investments. It also advocates for tools that help stakeholders plan, tender, and manage sustainable logistics strategies together.

Conclusion

ECG’s message to the Commission is clear: move away from a “mandate-first” mindset and instead create enabling conditions that allow the market to deliver decarbonisation effectively. By focusing on transparency, incentives, and collaboration, the transition can be both environmentally and economically sustainable.

Please find the complete answer presented to the European Commission here.