The Netherlands is demanding that the European Union aim for zero emissions from heavy-duty vehicles to bring the polluting sector in line with its climate neutrality targets, according to a document seen by Bloomberg.

The European Commission should set as an objective the 100% reduction of emissions from new trucks, buses and coaches, the document states, which is also supported by Belgium, Denmark and Luxembourg. At the meeting that would take place next month, the European Commission should present regulations on ecological transport, and should include more ambitious objectives for 2030, the four countries argue, according to Agerpres.

“The current CO2 emission reduction targets only apply to a small percentage of commercial goods vehicles, so almost 35% of emissions remain outside the scope. an ambitious revision of the targets is badly needed,” the document states.

The proposal comes after the agreement to effectively ban combustion engine cars in the EU from 2035. But reducing emissions from heavy-duty vehicles is much more difficult, with hydrogen-based technologies still in their infancy.

The sector is responsible for around a quarter of CO2 emissions from road transport in the EU, with pollution levels increasing significantly over the last decade.

Currently, truck manufacturers must ensure that emissions are reduced by 15% by 2025 and by 30% by 2030.

The four countries argue that the current negotiations on charging and refueling stations represent an opportunity to reduce emissions from heavy-duty vehicles.