Eight truck trailer manufacturers from Germany and Austria, which together account for over 80 of annual registrations trailers in Germany and more than 70% throughout Europe, have filed an appeal with the European Court of Justice against the provisions of European Regulation No. 1610 of 2024 aimed at strengthen CO2 emission performance standards of new heavy vehicles, which from 1 July 2024 requires a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions for semi-trailers and 7.5% for other trailers based on simulations carried out using the EU's VECTO-Trailer tool, as they support whereas, instead of reducing emissions, the regulation leads to a increase in traffic volumes and therefore in overall emissions.

In the appeal, highlighting that it fully supports the objectives of the climate control of the EU, the German Fliegl Fahrzeugbau GmbH, Kögel Trailer GmbH, Krone Commercial Vehicle SE, Langendorf GmbH, Schmitz Cargobull AG, System Trailers Fahrzeugbau GmbH and Wecon GmbH and the Austrian Schwarzmüller GmbH found that the failure to Achievement of the objectives imposed by the European Regulation could lead to substantial annual penalties starting from 2030 and equal to 4,250 euros per vehicle and per gram of CO2 emissions for ton-kilometer. The estimates - underlined the eight companies - suggest that these penalties alone could increase the trailer prices by up to 40%, making them economically unaffordable sustainable for many producers. The eight applicants specified that they are predominantly medium-sized enterprises which, in a Unlike large companies, they do not have the resources financial or technological limits to amortize the costs regulatory framework in the short term and that, therefore, for them the regulation poses a serious threat to their sustainability with direct implications for thousands of jobs in the manufacturing industry and related industries.

In particular, the appeal criticizes the use of the VECTO-Trailer which, if it positively assesses the theoretical improvements of trailers such as reducing height or weight, however it does not would take into account the real implications of the activity of transport. In practice - the applicants explained - these measures reduce the load volume, lead to more empty trips and increase traffic, resulting in an increase in of CO2 emissions. In addition, trailer manufacturers have recalled that modern trailers already contribute significantly to the increase in efficiency thanks to a aerodynamics, low rolling resistance and the use of steering, lifting and electric axles and have denounced that the Regulation, instead of recognising these concrete progress, focuses on individual theoretical parameters that contradict practical logistical activity. "A tool that simulates CO2 savings while in reality more trucks are on the road - said the spokesman of the group of eight companies, Gero Schulze Isfort - is contradictory with climate goals. We need real earnings of efficiency in the entire system, not simulated pseudo-solutions. In its current form, the regulation puts at risk not only the climate objectives, but also production sites, competition and over 70,000 jobs. Therefore, we see no other alternative to resorting to legal action".

With the appeal, the eight companies ask for the abolition of the VECTO-Trailer simulation tool, a moratorium on penalties until the objectives are technically achievable and the inclusion of zero-emission tractors in CO2 targets for trailers.