Initially, the regulations only applied to trucks with a maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 16 tonnes (vehicle groups 4, 5, 9, 10) or more, produced from January 2019 onwards. From January 2020, light delivery vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 7.5 tonnes or more were included too (vehicle groups 1, 2, 3). From two axles upwards, they can be rigid or articulated.
By the end of 2022 the regulations will have been reviewed and probably extended to buses, coaches and trailers. The goal is simple: according to the European Parliament, "Such a stepwise approach (also) provides a clear and early signal for the industry to accelerate the market introduction of energy efficient technologies and zero- and low-emission heavy-duty vehicles."
The regulation does not include specific vehicle configurations such as garbage trucks or construction vehicles. These cover low mileage and the returns in terms of lower CO₂ emissions would be minimal.
Extended regulations will affect further vehicle configurations and trailers in the future.
Axles | Axle configuration | Chassis configuration | Max. GVW [t] | Vehicle class | |
January / July 2019* | 2 | 4x2 | Rigid, tractor | > 16t | 4, 5 |
3 | 6x2 | Rigid, tractor | > 16t | 9, 10 | |
January 2020** | 2 | 4x2 | Rigid and tractor | 7.5t ‒ 10t >10t ‒ 12t >12t ‒ 13t | 1 2 3 |
July 2020** | 3 | 6x4 | Rigid and tractor | all weights | 11, 12 |
4 | 8x4 | Rigid | all weights | 16 |
* HDV CO2 regulation (EU 2019/1242) & VECTO regulation (EU 2017/2400)
** VECTO regulation (EU 2017/2400)