This decision empowers Member States to permit operators until August 18, 2025, to retrofit heavy-duty vehicles registered between August 21, 2023, and December 31, 2023, with SMT2 devices, in sync with the retrofitting deadline for vehicles engaged in international transport operations not equipped with SMT2 devices.
“The Commission’s attention to our concerns, as well as those of EU Member States, is commendable. The availability of Smart Tachograph 2 devices remains limited, and without this grace period, a significant number of new trucks and coaches would have faced logistical challenges within the EU,” said Raluca Marian, Director of EU Advocacy at IRU, expressing satisfaction with the Commission’s responsive stance..
Marian also acknowledged the proactive approach taken by several Member States in independently offering grace periods, highlighting the Commission’s role in proposing a coordinated and harmonized strategy.
“Blocking the delivery of new, environmentally friendly vehicles equipped with Smart Tachograph 1 devices would hinder our progress toward Europe’s CO2 reduction goals,” she added.
In light of this development, IRU has invited the European Commission to institute a monitoring system for the retrofitting process.