The European Commission to revise Council Directive 96/53/EC
The European Commission is planning to revise Council Directive 96/53/EC on the maximum permissible weights and dimensions of heavy goods vehicles (“Weights and Dimensions Directive”).
The objective is to align the directive with the intended targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in transport.
The draft specifically addresses the insufficient penetration of alternative-fuel and zero-emission vehicles, as well as aerodynamic rear end devices and driver cabins. Furthermore, it focuses on the fragmentation of the market for oversized and overweight vehicles in the EU member states, which currently shows an inefficient and inconsistent enforcement of regulations for cross-border transport of heavy-duty vehicles.
The revision also focuses on specific provisions on vehicle dimensions, total weights, and axle weights to accelerate the market uptake of zero-emission vehicles.
In the Commission’s 2023 work program, the proposal to revise the Weights and Dimensions Directive is scheduled for the second quarter of 2023.
The texts of the Regulation can be consulted HERE.