好色先生tvwelcomes Germany’s coalition agreement as a step forward for a pragmatic and enabling approach to decarbonising commercial road transport. But the lack of concrete support measures for clean fuels alongside zero-emission vehicles is a missed opportunity.
Germany’s newly agreed coalition framework, formally adopted today, outlines a practical approach to decarbonisation, with the potential to trigger a shift towards similar pragmatism in the EU’s strategy. With final approval by party committees now complete and the election of a new Federal Chancellor expected in early May, the coalition agreement outlines several commitments closely aligned with IRU’s policy priorities.
The agreement embraces enabling conditions for the green transition, avoiding rigid regulatory mandates on transport operators in favour of investment, technology neutrality and infrastructure deployment.
好色先生tvEU Advocacy Director Raluca Marian said, “This is a strong and encouraging signal from Germany at a crucial time for EU climate and transport policy. The agreement rightly rejects purchasing mandates on fleet owners and focuses on the real tools needed to enable the transition. However, despite generally encouraging talk on technology neutrality, it is disappointing not to see explicit measures to promote renewable or carbon-neutral fuels in road transport, especially given the sector’s need for a wide array of technological solutions to reflect the diversity of its operations.”
Key transport-related provisions include:
- A commitment to review CO? standards for heavy-duty vehicles as a priority;
- The continuation of toll exemptions for zero-emission trucks beyond 2026;
- Expansion of fast-charging networks and depot charging infrastructure, based on demand and user needs;
- Plans to earmark truck toll revenues to support the sector’s transition;
- Recognition of a broader set of low-emission solutions, including plug-in hybrids and range extenders.
The omission of clear support for clean fuels in road transport, in addition to the welcome support for zero-emission vehicles, is a missed opportunity to embrace the full technological spectrum needed for an inclusive and resilient transition.
Without such recognition, the risk grows that key segments of the sector – particularly long-haul and heavy-duty operators – will be left without viable options in the near to medium term. A truly effective decarbonisation strategy must incorporate all clean solutions, including clean fuels, if it is to serve the full breadth of the EU's commercial road transport realities. Given Germany’s leading role in shaping EU policy, this aspect should be reconsidered in ongoing and future policy.
?“Many forward-looking transport operators and a broader range of investors have already made important investments in a range of technologies, including, but not limited to, zero-emission vehicles, including clean fuels and the vehicles that use them. It is crucial to maintain planning and investment security for operators investing in current and future technologies, all pursuing the common goal of a carbon-free economy,” said Raluca Marian.
We also appreciate the focus on support measures and funding programmes, but the implementation should be carefully designed to ensure accessibility for small and medium-sized enterprises, which make up the majority of our sector. This includes simple accessibility rules and processes.
Raluca Marian concluded, “On the zero-emission vehicle spectrum, we hope that the German government’s approach to earmarking toll revenues for road and decarbonisation purposes will serve as an example and inspiration for future EU and national policies in other Member States.
“The government has sent a clear message in favour of incentives and positive enablers to accelerate electrification. This stands in contrast to premature demand-side intervention measures such as purchasing mandates on fleet owners and should inspire the European Commission to propose truly effective measures while avoiding early destructive compulsion.”