Emission limits for trucks, rail transport and road safety. These are the main topics for the EU this year. The European transport policy in 2024 will be fundamentally affected by the European Parliament elections in June and the subsequent appointment of the new European Commission. The EU institutions will therefore focus primarily on reaching agreement on the proposals that are already under discussion.
The proposal for the new EURO 7 emission standard will ultimately be significantly more acceptable and realistic than originally proposed. This is confirmed by the final compromise agreement reached on 18 December 2023 between the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council. During more than a year of negotiations, the Czech Republic managed to defend all its key demands. The exhaust emission limits for cars and vans will remain at the current EURO 6 standard, including the testing conditions for passenger vehicles. Furthermore, the deadlines for the entry into force of the new rules have been postponed and the vehicle emissions monitoring system has also undergone major changes.
Improving safety on Europe's roads, better prevention for novice drivers and more effective cross-border enforcement of traffic offences. These were the main topics of the meeting of the EU Council in the formation of transport ministers, which was attended by Transport Minister Martin Kupka on behalf of the Czech Republic. European ministers today adopted the so-called Council position on further directives related to the Road Safety Package. In addition, the ministers also discussed further European funding for the construction of transport infrastructure.
The Environment Council meeting in Luxembourg adopted the Council's general approach to the regulation on new CO2 emission limits for trucks and buses on 16 October. The Czech Republic has contributed to a significant mitigation of the impact of this forthcoming regulation. The most significant change is the exemption of all long-distance and suburban buses from the requirements for full zero-emission operation and the delay of the commitment to full zero-emission urban buses by five years to 2035. The proposal, approved, also foresees a review of the objectives and the whole regulation in 2027.
Návrh nové emisní normy EURO 7 bude nakonec výrazně mírnější, než bylo původně navrženo. Shodli se na tom ministři členských států na dnešním zasedání Rady pro konkurenceschopnost v Bruselu.
The European Commission will help refugees from Ukraine through its regulation effective from 27 July, temporarily recognising their driving licences and professional qualification as professional drivers of trucks and buses in its member states. This measure applies to Ukrainian citizens who are granted temporary protection in EU countries and is valid for the duration of this protection.