The European Commission has formally defended its proposal to allow longer and heavier trucks, known as mega-trucks, pushing back against opposition from the French Assemblée nationale. In a reply published on April 23, 2026, the Commission argued that amending Council Directive 96/53/EC is essential for achieving the European Green Deal's decarbonization targets, claiming the rules would promote zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles and enhance intermodal transport.
The proposal, which has no prior coverage in the last 180 days, seeks to amend the directive governing weights and dimensions of heavy-duty vehicles. It focuses on creating equal conditions for all technologies, allowing Member States flexibility in authorizing European Modular Systems (EMS) — combinations of trucks and trailers that can be longer and heavier than standard vehicles. The Commission argues that EMS can improve efficiency and reduce emissions by allowing more goods to be transported per trip, while also supporting the uptake of zero-emission vehicles by offering additional weight allowances for batteries or fuel cells.
Addressing French concerns on rail and tolling The French parliament had raised concerns that mega-trucks would undermine rail freight competitiveness and increase road wear. In its reply, the Commission acknowledged these points and noted that its proposal also aims to improve rail freight capacity and efficiency through infrastructure and regulatory improvements. On tolling, the Commission expressed support for the Assemblée nationale's request to explore policies that internalize the external costs of road transport, addressing the cost inequality between road and rail freight to encourage more sustainable transport modes.
Trade-offs and stakeholder impacts The proposal presents clear trade-offs. For EU road transport operators, especially those in logistics, the flexibility to use EMS could lower operational costs and improve efficiency, benefiting competitiveness. However, rail freight operators may face increased competition from road transport, potentially reducing their market share unless rail infrastructure improvements materialize. Environmental groups may see the proposal as a step toward decarbonization if zero-emission trucks are adopted, but could criticize the potential for increased road traffic and emissions if mega-trucks run on fossil fuels. National authorities in Member States will gain flexibility to authorize EMS, but may face pressure to balance road and rail interests.
Institutional follow-up The Commission's reply is part of the political dialogue with national parliaments. The proposal now awaits consideration by the European Parliament and the Council, where debates are expected to focus on the balance between road and rail transport, environmental impacts, and Member State discretion. The Commission has committed to continued dialogue with the Assemblée nationale to advance shared objectives.
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