The EU Parliament adopts its report on the Directive on the weights and dimensions of certain vehicles
On March 12, the European Parliament adopted its position on the revision of the Weights & Dimensions Directive.
The text provisions to enable better-harmonised rules for cross-border transport of up to 44 tonnes is an excellent step to cut some CO2 emissions and organisational burdens in the flat glass sector. Member States that elevate the maximum weight of trucks for national transportation would also need to allow these weights for international transportation. This will help reduce the CO2 emissions per tonne of transported glass for certain transport.
For the transport of flat glass, allowing weights up to 44 tonnes for 5 or 6 axles trucks would also permit reducing transport-related CO2 emissions without any changes in the used vehicles or transportation materials (e.g. stillages). Although this option was not endorsed, the report does increase the maximum weight allowed for certain zero-emission trucks and intermodal transport, which is something positive.
Flat glass manufacturers are already working on reducing emissions related to transport. Glass for Europe calls on authorities and relevant stakeholders to continue their work on developing the new vehicles and infrastructure that will be needed to enable the generalisation of zero-emission transport in the EU.
