Buying electric
How shippers can drive the transition to zero-emission trucking
Large companies are the largest buyers of road freight. As part of its Decarbonise Corporate Fleets initiative, the European Commission should set zero-emission (ZE) procurement targets on large shippers, rather than truck operators.
-
Large companies (>250 employees and >€50 million) make up only 0.2% of EU companies but generate over half of turnover and buy nearly 40% of road freight.
-
Annual ZE procurement targets on large companies reaching 100% in 2039 would create demand for ZE freight in line with truck CO2 standards.
-
Alternatively, only large manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers could be targeted. Together they buy a quarter of road freight.
ZE procurement targets can ensure large shippers support hauliers in their transition to ZETs, thanks to green premiums or longer contracts for example. This would improve the business case of shifting to ZETs, thus also supporting truckmakers in achieving their CO2 targets, while having only a negligible impact on product prices for end consumers.
Either a 100% ZE procurement target for all large shippers by 2039, or by 2036 for large manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, would align ZE freight demand with truck CO2 standards
Related Articles
View All
Joint letter: EU must reach agreement on zero-emission heavy-duty proposal
Failure to secure an agreement on Weights and Dimensions file would create uncertainty for operators investing in zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles.
Truckmaking giants favour shareholder payouts over investing into the zero-emission transition
In the lead-up to the first-ever EU truck CO2 target in 2025, major truckmakers have come to increasingly prioritise their shareholders over making th...
Joint letter: industry calls for toll exemptions for zero-emission trucks
Leading EU businesses call EU Transport Ministers to implement toll exemptions to accelerate clean freight