Greenhouse gas (GHG) like carbon dioxide emitted from the burning of fossil fuels is a threat to climate change. Heavy-duty transport systems which run on fossil fuel are also one of the rising causes of CO2 emissions. Around 6% of EU greenhouse gas emissions and a quarter of CO2 emissions from road transportation are connected to heavy-duty vehicles. Reduction of GHG emissions from heavy-duty vehicles can contribute to a much greener environment.

To assess the impact of electrification on climate change, the study of electric heavy-duty vehicles in their life cycle was necessary. This led to the ELISA study!

What does the study demonstrate?

The ELISA study used data from a German Pilot project. An overhead line system was used to power a hybrid truck while it was on the road for a life cycle evaluation. According to the study, the systems might lower emissions by 22.1% when used in conjunction with feasible technological advancements as compared to traditional trucks.

When did it begin?

Heavy-duty vehicles’ EU-wide CO2 emission standards were enacted in 2019 for the first time lowering new lorry emissions on average between 2025 and 2030. By August 14, 2019, Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 - setting CO2 emission performance standards for the new heavy-duty vehicle was in effect.

What does the regulation possess?

The regulations also have a technology-neutral incentive system to promote the use of zero- and low-emission cars. It contains an incentive factor for

• Zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) - Trucks without tailpipe CO2 emissions
• Low-emission vehicles - (I) Trucks with a technically maximum permitted laden mass of over 16 tonnes and (ii) trucks with CO2 emissions that are less than half of the average of all the vehicles in their group that were registered during the 2019 reporting period, both fall into this category.

What is the goal of this regulation?

• Approximately 54 million tonnes of CO2 will be eliminated between 2020 and 2030.
• Pump savings of up to €55 000 in the first five years of use for a new truck purchased in 2030 and up to roughly €25 000 in the first five years of use for a new truck purchased in 2025 are possible.
• Up to 170 million tonnes of oil could be retained between the period 2020 and 2040.

Authorities and researchers conducted a field trial to assess whether electric charging through overhead lines may reduce CO2 emissions in freight transport, and the early results are hopeful.