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News from ECG
On 12 March 2024, Members of the European Parliament agreed on a common position on the revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive including harmonisation of loaded length of vehicle transporters up to a total of 20.75 m when crossing EU borders.
This is a pivotal step forward for vehicle logistics which is currently operating in a fragmented market with different national legislations on loaded length for vehicle transporters.
ECG has been advocating for a harmonised loaded length of at least 20.75 m at EU level in line with the legislation that the majority of Member States already allow on their territories.
The adopted position of the European Parliament demonstrates a pragmatic approach to the issue raised by ECG with EU regulators: trucks carrying vehicles across EU borders are currently not operating in a single market and this has to change.
In vehicle logistics the use of ships, railway wagons and inland waterways barges is maximised. However, in some cases, for the so-called the last mile delivery, which in our sector can be anything from a few kilometres to several hundred, it is not possible to use anything other than trucks.
The vote of the European Parliament is a step towards giving legal certainty, reducing emissions by maximizing efficiency while reducing costs and administrative burden for vehicle transporters operators and the automotive sector.
Additional draft measures agreed
The European Parliament’s position also includes weight exemptions for zero-emission vehicles, additional incentives for vehicles used for the road legs of combined and intermodal transport and the ability to use 44-tonne combinations and high-capacity European Modular System vehicles for cross-border movements between two consenting Member States. See here further information.
Background
The proposal to revise the W&D Directive published in July 2023 by the European Commission is part of its Greening Freight package.
Next steps
The current agreed position will be followed by the new European Parliament after the European elections on 6-9 June 2024.