Council approach on Weights and Dimensions: adoption leaves key gaps for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles

Brussels, 4 December 2025 - The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) warns that, despite political efforts, today's adoption of the Council's general approach on Weights and Dimensions Directive falls short of what is needed to accelerate decarbonisation of the transport sector.

ACEA's commercial vehicle manufacturers acknowledge the leadership of the Danish Council Presidency in negotiating a General Approach on the revision of the Weights and Dimensions Directive. This is a complex and technically demanding file which is a critical element of the enabling conditions framework for the Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) transition of the heavy-duty road transport sector.

However, the text adopted today falls short of what is needed to accelerate the deployment of zero-emission trucks, buses and coaches. Europe has set the world's most ambitious CO2-reduction targets for heavy-duty vehicles. To meet them, zero-emission solutions must become the fully competitive go-to choice for transport operators in every segment and across all EU countries.

To ensure that revised Weights and Dimensions rules really support this shift, several targeted improvements remain essential in the upcoming trilogue negotiations with the European Parliament. In particular, adequate weight allowances for the most common vehicle configurations, including 4×2 tractor-semitrailers and even a modest increase in axle weight limits are needed to enable payload and operational parity with conventional vehicles. At the same time, unnecessary complexity and cost, for example in relation to the On-Board Mass Monitoring (OBMM) and Smart Tachograph requirements, are counterproductive and must be avoided.

A swift transposition timeline of not more than 18 months will also be key so that operators can benefit from the updated rules without delay.

Europe's commercial vehicle industry remains fully committed to delivering climate-neutral road transport. We stand ready to work constructively with policymakers to ensure this Directive effectively supports Europe's decarbonisation goals rather than slowing progress on the road to 2030.  

About ACEA

• The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) represents the 16 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus makers: BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ferrari, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Iveco Group, JLR, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault Group, Stellantis, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, and Volvo Group.
• Visit www.acea.auto for more information about ACEA, and follow us on https://www.x.com/ACEA_auto or https://www.linkedin.com/company/ACEA/

Contact:

• Camille Lamarque, Policy Communications Officer, [email protected], +32 (0) 2 738 73 16

About the EU automobile industry

• 13.6 million Europeans work in the automotive sector
• 8.1% of all manufacturing jobs in the EU
• €414.7 billion in tax revenue for European governments
• €93.9 billion trade surplus for the European Union
• Over 8% of EU GDP generated by the auto industry
• €84.6 billion in R&D spending annually, 34% of EU total