As negotiations on the Weights and Dimensions Directive continue, the Danish EU Presidency is pushing for a General Approach by December 2025. Discussions in the Council Working Group are largely positive, but some delegations could form a blocking minority, risking delays.
The European Shippers’ Council (ESC) stresses that the Directive is a key opportunity to improve operational efficiency and support the uptake of zero-emission and alternative fuel vehicles. ESC urges that benefits extend across all vehicle types to ensure a practical and fair transition.
Key ESC Positions
- Zero-Emission Vehicles: Allowing up to 4 tonnes extra weight is essential to maintain payload and competitiveness.
- Alternative Fuel Vehicles: Current 1-tonne allowance is positive but could be increased, particularly for hybrid combinations.
- Cross-Border Operations & European Modular System: ESC welcomes rules allowing higher weights for zero-emission vehicles and EMS combinations, with potential for further clarification at trilogue stage.
- On-Board Mass Monitoring (OBMM): ESC calls for caution to ensure a level playing field between EU and non-EU vehicles.
ESC also notes concerns over a railway sector statement that challenges road freight flexibility, calling for unnecessary restrictions on vehicle size and weight. Such proposals could reduce efficiency and multimodal integration, contrary to EU sustainability goals.
A timely agreement will allow the industry to benefit from new operational freedoms, accelerate the transition to cleaner transport, and strengthen Europe’s logistics competitiveness. Delays would postpone these benefits, affecting shippers, carriers, and supply chains across the continent.