This Week in Automotive — Brussels (#17, 2026)
CO2 credits for heavy-duty vehicles: new regulation published; Committee advances roadworthiness and tolls reforms; Hydrogen projects receive €1bn Commission funding.
May 03, 2026 to May 09, 2026
CO2 credits for heavy-duty vehicles: new regulation published; Committee advances roadworthiness and tolls reforms; Hydrogen projects receive €1bn Commission funding.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
European Commission
Commission awards over €1 billion to hydrogen projects for clean transport transition
On 6 May 2026, the European Commission announced the selection of nine hydrogen production projects under the third auction of the European Hydrogen Bank, distributing approximately €1.09 billion in Innovation Fund support. The projects, spanning seven EEA countries, are expected to deliver 1.1 GW of electrolyser capacity and more than 1.3 million tonnes of hydrogen over ten years, targeting emission reductions in energy-intensive sectors including road transport. Germany and Spain will provide an additional €1.7 billion in national funds through the Auctions-as-a-Service feature, allowing further support for projects in their territories. Formal grant agreements, managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency, are expected to be signed in the last quarter of 2026, with projects required to reach financial close within two and a half years and commence operations within five years.
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Regulation (EU) 2026/1046 amends CO2 emission credit calculation for heavy-duty vehicles
Regulation (EU) 2026/1046, published in the Official Journal on 7 May 2026 (CELEX: 32026R1046), amends Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 regarding the calculation of emission credits for heavy-duty vehicles for 2025–2029. The amendment allows manufacturers to collect emission credits if their specific CO2 emissions are below their target, rather than below a reduction trajectory, in these years. This adjustment aims to provide additional compliance flexibility ahead of stricter targets applying from 2030, reflecting delays in public charging infrastructure for heavy-duty vehicles. The changes do not apply to urban buses, given the advanced deployment of zero-emission vehicles in that segment.
EU Council
Upcoming: Informal meeting of energy ministers to address transport decarbonisation
The Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council will hold an informal meeting of energy ministers on 12 May 2026. Decarbonisation of transport, including road transport and vehicle electrification, is expected to feature on the agenda.
EP Committee Work
TRAN Committee adopts positions on periodic roadworthiness and CO2 class of heavy-duty vehicles
At its 5 May 2026 meeting, the European Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN) adopted draft reports on amendments to Directive 2014/45/EU and Directive 2014/47/EU, led by rapporteur Jens Gieseke (PPE), updating requirements for periodic roadworthiness tests and roadside technical inspections. The committee also adopted a report on amending Directive 1999/62/EC and related acts regarding the CO2 emission class of heavy-duty vehicles with trailers, with rapporteur Matteo Ricci (S&D). The committee voted to proceed to interinstitutional negotiations on both files, which address safety, decarbonisation, and simplification of EU transport legislation.
TRAN Committee press release: MEPs propose reduced tolls for low-emission trucks and buses
On 5 May 2026, the TRAN Committee published a press release detailing its support for updating EU road charging rules to reward efficient trailers and low-emission heavy-duty vehicles. Under rapporteur Matteo Ricci (S&D), the committee advocated allowing Member States to apply reduced tolls for low-emission vehicles until 2031 and suggested provisions for vehicles using electrified transport refrigeration units. The committee also called for alignment of road charging rules with forthcoming CO2 emission standards for trucks and buses.
TRAN Committee press release: MEPs update periodic vehicle check requirements, including for electric vehicles
On 5 May 2026, the TRAN Committee issued a press release on its adopted position for revising EU rules on periodic roadworthiness tests and roadside inspections. The committee supported enabling inspections in Member States other than the country of registration, rejected annual inspections for older vehicles, and proposed new test items for battery electric and hybrid vehicles. The committee, under rapporteur Jens Gieseke (PPE), also recommended measures to combat odometer fraud and called for the inclusion of advanced driver assistance systems in inspections.
What We're Reading This Week
- UK new car sales to hit nearly 2.1 million in 2026, SMMT says: UK car market recovery accelerates as SMMT forecasts sales nearing pre-pandemic levels by 2026.
