EU Rail and Freight Associations warn new truck rules could undermine green freight goals

Today a coalition of major industry organisations — including UNIFE, CER, ERFA, Rail Freight Forward, UIP and UIRR— warned that withdrawing the proposed revision of the Combined Transport Directive as part of the same Greening Freight Transport Package – risks deepening the long-standing imbalance between rail and road. Together, they represent rail freight operators, intermodal transporters, wagon keepers and the European rail supply industry.

The original Greening Freight Transport Package promised “more economic gains with less environmental impact.” However, sector representatives are arguing revised rules may indeed benefit road transport operators economically, while also increasing emissions, congestion and infrastructure damage unless balanced by supportive measures for rail and intermodal transport.

Industry groups stress that the weights and dimensions proposal was meant to advance in parallel with an updated Combined Transport Directive – the key EU instrument that incentivises shifting freight from road to rail. The European Commission’s intention to withdraw that revision in its 2026 work programme, which is a major setback for sustainable transport policy.

In a market highly sensitive to cost, any facilitation of the cross-border operation of European Modular Systems (EMS) trucks will make rail and intermodal transport less attractive. This runs counter to the EU’s stated objectives: strengthening the internal market, balancing the freight sector by promoting high-capacity modes such as rail, increasing energy efficiency and reducing emissions together with road accidents and congestion.

As EU institutions head into trilogue negotiations, the associations call for incentives in the revised directive to apply only to zero-emission or intermodal vehicles, for compatibility between transport modes to be protected, and for member states to conduct prior impact assessments. Without these safeguards, they warn, Europe risks a reverse shift from rail to road, higher external costs and diminished road safety.

The full content of the joint statement can be found below.

For more information on Freight please contact
Hugo Tabouret
Technical Affairs
hugo.tabouret@unife.org / +32 2 626 12 68