European Parliamentary Research Service Blog
road transport
Road and rail transport and coronavirus: Mapping the way out of the crisis
In the first weeks of the coronavirus crisis, the lockdown and border closures halted most passenger services in road and rail transport and left road hauliers to face uncertainty and very long waiting times at many border crossings. Continue reading
Stricter CO2 emission standards for new cars and vans [European Parliament impact 2014-2019]
Road transport is responsible for around 20 % of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Transport is the only sector in the EU that did not record any significant decline in greenhouse gas emissions since 1990. In 2016, EU transport emissions were 26 % above 1990 levels.
The European Parliament has played an important role in shaping EU legislation to respond to this challenge and in pushing for ambitious but realistic targets. Mandatory CO2 standards for new passenger cars in the EU were introduced in 2009 and strengthened in 2014. Continue reading
European Parliament Plenary Session – April II 2019
Unsurprisingly, the agenda for this final plenary session of Parliament’s 2014-2019 term will deal with a range of issues that are emblematic of the major themes that have marked this eighth legislature. Continue reading
Plenary round-up – Strasbourg, March II 2019
Highlights of the March II plenary session included debates on the conclusions of the 21-22 March 2019 European Council meeting and on recent developments on the Dieselgate scandal. Parliament also debated the situation in Algeria and the illegal occupation of Crimea by the Russian Federation. Important debates also took place on various legislative proposals, including on interoperability between EU information systems. Continue reading
European Parliament Plenary Session, March II 2019
European citizens are running out of patience with companies and people who do not pay their fair share of the taxes that support services for everyone. The agenda for Parliament’s second plenary session of March opens with a debate on Monday evening on the report of Parliament’s TAX3 Special Committee on the progress made and the work still to do to tackle financial crimes, tax evasion and tax avoidance. Continue reading
CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles [EU Legislation in Progress]
In May 2018, the Commission proposed a regulation setting the first-ever CO2 emission performance standards for new heavy-duty vehicles in the EU, as part of the third mobility package. It would require the average CO2 emissions from new trucks in 2025 to be 15 % lower than in 2019. Continue reading
Road infrastructure safety management [EU Legislation in Progress]
On 17 May 2018, the Commission adopted the proposal for a directive amending Directive 2008/96/EC on road infrastructure safety management. It is part of the third and last ‘Europe on the Move’ package that includes initiatives supporting the transition towards a safe, clean, automated and connected mobility for all. Continue reading
People who do not drive [What Europe does for you]
There is roughly one car for every two people in the EU, but not all Europeans drive. For people living in densely built up areas, the convenience of a car may be outweighed by the inconvenience of finding a parking spot; the cost of buying, maintaining and running a car; or health or environmental considerations. Not driving means relying on alternative forms of getting about: walking, cycling, public transport, taxis – and for longer distances, buses, trains and aeroplanes. The EU is working to improve these services on two fronts: by encouraging investment in public transport and cross-border transport links for the movement of people, goods and services; and by fostering competition on transport routes across the continent, to secure a better deal for consumers. Continue reading
Disabled road users [What Europe does for you]
Perhaps you, or someone you know, are one of the estimated 14 to 17 % people aged over 15 in the EU who suffer from a disability? You are not alone, as these numbers are expected to rise, mainly due to the aging population. By 2020, approximately 120 million Europeans will have a disability. The EU is working to remove barriers preventing your equal participation in life activities, particularly as regards your access to transport. Continue reading
Bus drivers [What Europe does for you]
Bus and coach travel plays a significant role in the daily life of many Europeans. In 2015, over 8 % of all passengers made use of these services, compared with 9.8 % for air transport and 6.7 % for rail. In 2014, there were over 361 000 road passenger transport enterprises in the EU. European roads are the safest in the world and the EU is striving to move closer to zero fatalities in road transport by 2050. Continue reading
Revision of the European Electronic Tolling Service (EETS) Directive [EU Legislation in Progress]
On 31 May 2017, the Commission adopted a proposal for a directive on the interoperability of electronic road toll systems and facilitating cross-border exchange of information on the failure to pay road fees in the Union. Continue reading
Plenary round-up – Strasbourg, June 2018
The June plenary session highlights were the continuation of the debate on the future of Europe with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands, Mark Rutte, and the preparation of the European Council meeting of 28 and 29 June 2018. Continue reading
Bus and coach passengers [What Europe does for you]
Bus and coach passengers should have the same level of protection and assistance as is provided for users of other forms of transport. The EU has adopted specific rules for regular coach services of 250 km or more that start and end in an EU country. Continue reading
CO2 standards for new cars and vans [EU Legislation in Progress]
In November 2017, the European Commission adopted a proposal for a regulation on reducing CO2 emissions from new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (vans). The proposed measures and targets are aligned with the 2030 climate and energy framework and with the energy union strategy, which envisages a reduction in transport emissions and energy consumption. Continue reading
Review of the Clean Vehicles Directive [EU Legislation in Progress]
In November 2017, the European Commission proposed a revision of Directive 2009/33/EC on the promotion of clean and energy-efficient road transport vehicles (the Clean Vehicles Directive), after an evaluation showed that the directive had yielded limited results, for instance by not encouraging a more significant uptake of clean vehicles in the market overall. Continue reading
Goods vehicles hired without drivers [EU Legislation in Progress]
EU rules on the use of goods vehicles hired without drivers have been in operation for over 25 years without change and need to be reviewed to correspond to current and future needs in the transport sector. Continue reading
Access to the occupation of road transport operator and to the international road haulage market [EU Legislation in Progress]
In order to contribute to the efficient functioning of the single market in road transport and to ensure fair competition between resident and non-resident hauliers, the EU put in place two regulations, which have applied since December 2011. Continue reading
Revision of the Eurovignette Directive [EU Legislation in Progress]
The Commission adopted a legislative proposal for a directive amending Directive 1999/62/EC on the charging of heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures (known as the Eurovignette Directive) in May 2017. Continue reading
Road transport: Enforcement and special provisions for posted workers [EU Legislation in Progress] [Policy Podcast]
The EU has established a range of social measures applying to the road transport sector, which aim at improving drivers’ working conditions, road safety and competition between road operators. Continue reading
Road transport: Driving, breaks, rest times and tachographs [EU Legislation in Progress]
Road haulage is important for the EU transport economy: in 2015, it accounted for almost 50 % of freight transport. Continue reading
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