The Chamber does not consider it necessary to introduce new requirements to accelerate the uptake of zero-emission vehicles

The Chamber opposes the European Commission’s initiative to set mandatory targets for the share of zero- and low-emission vehicles in large companies’ vehicle fleets. This would amount to overregulation and could increase companies’ costs.

At the end of 2024, the European Commission presented a proposal for a regulation that would establish binding targets for Member States regarding the share of zero- and low-emission vehicles among new passenger cars and vans first registered in the European Union by large companies. The aim is to reduce road transport carbon emissions and to increase the availability of zero-emission vehicles on the used-car market as well.

For Estonia, the proposal would mean that by 2030 the share of zero- and low-emission vehicles among new passenger cars acquired by large companies would have to be 55%, and by 2035, 76%. For vans, the respective targets are 32% and 76%.

The goal of reducing road transport carbon emissions is entirely understandable, but the Chamber does not consider it appropriate to achieve this through mandatory targets.

One of the biggest obstacles to the wider uptake of zero-emission vehicles is their significantly higher purchase price. The price gap is particularly pronounced in the case of electric vans. Even lower maintenance costs or cheaper charging may not offset this difference. As a result, if the amendment enters into force, companies’ costs may increase considerably.

In addition, charging electric vehicles takes more time, and their driving range is shorter than that of internal combustion engine vehicles. This particularly affects time-critical services such as courier services, where constant vehicle availability is a prerequisite for providing the service.

The Chamber also drew attention to shortcomings in charging infrastructure. Company vehicles are generally used intensively and require fast and reliable charging options both on company premises and on public roads. In Estonia, there is currently not enough fast-charging infrastructure, nor sufficient grid capacity, to make a significant increase in the share of zero-emission vehicles in corporate fleets within a short period. Developing the necessary infrastructure requires major investment and long-term planning.

As a separate concern, we also pointed to the continuity of vital services. In extreme weather conditions or other crisis situations, power outages may occur, making it impossible to charge electric vehicles. For this reason, it is not reasonable for the fleets of providers of vital services to be based to a large extent on electric vehicles.

To reduce transport emissions, a more technology-neutral and flexible approach should be applied. In addition to zero-emission vehicles, other solutions that reduce carbon emissions should also be considered, such as the use of biofuels. However, the current proposal does not encourage such alternatives.