It was an expected vote.
The European Parliament adopted this Tuesday by 330 votes for and 207 votes against the revision of the “Weight and dimensions” directive authorizing the circulation in the European Union of “mega trucks” capable of being up to 25 m and 60 tonnes, according to several MEPs on X (formerly Twitter).
“Climate misconception and for our safety on the road”, reacted the president of the transport and tourism committee of the European Parliament Karima Delli.
“The right-wing groups, liberals and socialists have just voted massively in favor of authorizing dangerous & polluting mega trucks,” said the head of LFI MEPs Manon Aubry.
😡Climate misconception and for our safety on the road:
The European Parliament ADOPTS a text which generalizes diesel trucks of more than 40 tonnes and facilitates the circulation of mega-trucks of 60 tonnes.
Irresponsible vote!!
⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/1jp4Eh5Nh9
— Karima Delli (@KarimaDelli) March 12, 2024
These extendable trucks, made up of a container plus a trailer, exist in a handful of countries (Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Germany, etc.), but this text, voted on in plenary session before negotiations with the States members, could boost their development.
The legislative revision aims first to encourage the growth of electric or hydrogen heavy goods vehicles, heavier and bulkier technologies, by raising the maximum weight of zero-emission trucks traveling between EU countries to 44 tonnes (compared to 40 currently). .
“The ball is in France’s court”
In a press release, Karima Delli states that “the ball [is now] in France’s court”.
“France has the power to say no to mega trucks if it does not want to be crossed by 60-ton monsters,” she added in her press release.
“As the Council
(of the European Union)
has not yet adopted its position, this text will be negotiated in trilogue during the term of office,” she also said.
In other words, representatives of the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and representatives of the European Commission will have to meet to try to find a compromise on the text and its conditions of application.
For rail players, this increased competitiveness of road transport will inevitably weaken their development.
“We are firmly opposed to the increase in weight and size of non-electric trucks, to the cross-border flows of mega trucks (…) which would circulate unhindered from Poland to Spain”, launched Sigrid Nikutta, boss of DB Cargo, giant rail freight, before the vote.
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5 minutes to understand their possible authorization in the EU
“This will clog up our already congested roads, put pressure on bridges… The impact will wipe out environmental gains, by encouraging road use even when rail is more efficient and ecological,” she expressed annoyance to the press.