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Land transportation
Germany’s automotive association VDA has warned that Europe’s commercial vehicle industry will struggle to remain economically viable unless policymakers accelerate the rollout of charging and hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, cut energy costs, and bring forward a review of heavy-duty CO₂ targets.
VDA president Hildegard Müller said the sector, which she described as “a key pillar of the economy and a driver of industrial value creation”, is already delivering on climate-neutral technologies but cannot progress further without urgent regulatory adjustments.
According to VDA, one of the most pressing obstacles is the lack of truck-suitable charging and hydrogen refuelling points across Europe. In many regions, public and private facilities for light and heavy commercial vehicles remain scarce.
The association is calling for megawatt charging systems (MCS) to become standard practice in public spaces to enable rapid charging of heavy-duty trucks. It also wants the EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR) requirements revised to reflect the projected demand for zero-emission vehicles up to 2030 and beyond.
Müller argued that delays in grid connections are another major hurdle. VDA says distribution system operators (DSOs) should be empowered to invest in grid capacity ahead of demand, while national regulators must give clear mandates for forward-looking investment. A Europe-wide digital overview of available grid capacity would also, according to the association, help unlock private-sector decisions on infrastructure expansion.
Energy costs and taxation at the heart of competitiveness
High electricity and hydrogen prices are described as a serious barrier to the transition. VDA is calling for charging electricity, hydrogen and renewable fuels to be tax-exempt or taxed only at the EU minimum rate.
The organisation also backed the scheduled launch of the EU’s second emissions trading system (ETS-2) in 2027, provided that fossil fuels are appropriately priced for CO₂. This, it says, would help ensure that clean alternatives become competitive.
At the same time, VDA called for support mechanisms to expand grid connections and cover construction costs for new charging and refuelling points. It added that the rapid rollout of infrastructure also depends on secure supply chains for critical materials such as transformers, semiconductors, cables and electrical steel.
Pressure to review CO₂ targets ahead of schedule
VDA emphasised that commercial vehicle manufacturers have already adapted their product portfolios to include battery-electric and hydrogen-powered trucks. Some series-ready models now offer ranges of up to 500 km (battery) and 700–800 km (hydrogen).
Nevertheless, Müller warned that without regulatory flexibility, the targets risk being unrealistic. VDA is urging Brussels to bring forward the planned 2026 review of heavy-duty CO₂ standards to 2025 so that any necessary adjustments can be made in time.
“The list of tasks is long, and the pressure to act is great,” Müller said. “If the framework conditions do not keep pace with the ramp-up, an economically viable commercial vehicle industry cannot develop.”