ECG — 2025-07-16
News from ECG
ECG calls for pragmatic transition based on transparency, incentives, and collaboration
As the European Commission advances its initiative to green corporate fleets, a pillar of the European Green Deal and Fit for 55 package, ECG – the Association of European Vehicle Logistics welcomes the ambition to decarbonise transport but firmly warns against another policy-driven transformation that risks failure.
The transition will only succeed if it is market-driven, grounded in operational realities, and supported by three pillars: transparency, incentives, and collaboration. Binding mandates and quotas, in isolation, will not deliver results, they risk pushing operators into unworkable compliance scenarios while ignoring the structural gaps that currently hinder the adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs).
A critical debate for the industry
On 17 July, the European Commission’s Strategic Dialogue on Clean Corporate Fleets will bring together industry leaders and policymakers to discuss the proposed regulation targeting large private fleets. Under the current draft, companies operating more than 100 light-duty vehicles (LDVs) would face binding targets for ZEV uptake, starting with monitoring in 2027 and mandatory targets from 2030.
While ECG fully supports the climate objectives, it stresses that responsibility for change must remain with market players, not be imposed through rigid quotas. A reporting- and transparency-based approach, built on accurate data and real-world operational insights, is a far more effective way to naturally encourage the adoption of cleaner technologies.
Data first: lessons from pilot projects
Experience from early adopters of electric vehicles (EVs) and battery-electric trucks (BETs), including ECG members, shows that commercial viability remains a major challenge.
In the second phase of its emissions project with VDA and European OEMs, ECG further developed its guideline for harmonized emissions calculation across the automotive supply chain. Pilot results revealed a significant discrepancy: OEM-reported emissions were consistently lower than those calculated by logistics service providers (LSPs) using the harmonised method. This underreporting highlights a key barrier: without accurate, standardised emissions data, operators cannot make informed investment decisions. Mandates alone will not solve this. Without transparency, the sector risks making costly decisions based on flawed assumptions.
ECG’s dual exposure: fleets and freight
ECG members are directly impacted in two ways. “Our members are affected on two fronts,” said Wolfgang Göbel, President of ECG – the Association of European Vehicle Logistics. “We operate our own fleets, so we’re directly impacted by any new vehicle requirements. At the same time, we move freight for OEM customers who are under pressure to decarbonize often expecting us to deliver greener solutions without sharing the costs or infrastructure burden. This dual exposure makes it essential that any regulation is grounded in operational and economic realities.” This complex operating environment reinforces ECG’s position: policy must work with the market, not against it.
Policy must work with the market, not against it
The recent June 2025 market and technology readiness assessment for zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), required under the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), confirmed what the industry already knows: infrastructure is lagging far behind regulatory ambition. Delays in grid connections, permitting bottlenecks, and a lack of public charging points are major obstacles to ZEV adoption.
A call for pragmatic action ECG urges the European Commission to move away from a mandate-first mindset and focus on creating enabling conditions for the market to deliver:
Legislation alone will not decarbonise corporate fleets. “The market must be convinced, not forced”, adds Göbel. A successful transition requires accurate data, operationally viable solutions, and shared responsibility across the supply chain. ECG will actively engage in the upcoming consultation and hearing on the proposed regulation, bringing the voice of finished vehicle logistics to the debate. ECG stands ready to contribute its expertise to make this transition a success.