In a statement, the ACEA described the emission trading system for buildings and road transport (ETS2) proposed in the ‘Fit for 55’ climate package as a “key policy tool for decarbonising road transport”.
Without it, the ACEA argues that overall efforts to swiftly cut emissions – especially in the road freight transport sector – cannot be effective.
“Only with the strong support of a policy framework that sets a price on carbon, will it be possible to encourage and incentivise commercial transport operators to choose low- and zero-emission vehicles over conventional, diesel-powered ones,” stated Martin Lundstedt, CEO of Volvo Group and Chairperson of ACEA’s Commercial Vehicle Board. “After all, transport operators use the vehicles as part of their businesses of transporting goods and people. The benefits of running zero-emission vehicles must become clearly visible for them. They will only make the switch if these vehicles can be operated more profitably than, and as seamlessly as, conventional powertrain vehicles.”
Lundstedt added:
“We urge MEPs to vote for a coherent, effective carbon pricing system that sets the right price signals to phase out the use of fossil fuels. But it is also important to carefully balance the impact that carbon pricing will have on road users, and to make sure that they get widespread access to appropriately priced low- and zero-emission alternatives.”
The ACEA thus argues that revenues should be used to help the road sector in its transition, to mitigate impacts and to ensure low- and zero-emission alternatives become widely available in time.