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Climate Action

Road transport: Reducing CO₂ emissions from vehicles

In 2020, road transport contributed to 24% of the EU's total emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), the main greenhouse gas.

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Light-duty vehicles

Light-duty vehicles (passenger cars and vans) produce around 15% of the EU’s CO2 emissions.

Regulation (EU) 2019/631 sets binding CO2 emission targets for the new car and van fleets, which were updated in April 2023 to bring them in line with the EU’s 2030 and 2050 climate objectives.

CO₂ labelling of cars

To help drivers choose new cars with low fuel consumption, EU legislation requires Member States to ensure that relevant information is provided to consumers, including a label showing a car's fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.

Heavy-duty vehicles

Heavy-duty vehicles – trucks and buses – are responsible for more than a quarter of CO2 emissions from road transport in the EU, and for 6% of total EU greenhouse gas emissions.

On 20 June 2019, the European Parliament and the Council adopted a Regulation setting CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles, with targets for reducing the average emissions from new lorries for 2025 and 2030.

Fuel quality

Fuel quality is an important element in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport. EU legislation requires the greenhouse gas intensity of vehicle fuels to be cut by up to 6% by 2020.

Links to related EU policies

Other links

Studies

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