DAF Trucks’ Harald Seidel to lead Board of Europe’s truck and bus manufacturers

“2024 will be a game-changing year for the European truck industry. Firstly, negotiations on the CO2 regulation for heavy-duty vehicles, which enshrines more ambitious decarbonisation targets for trucks and buses into law, should be wrapped up over the coming months,” stated Seidel. “Let there be no doubt: truck and bus manufacturers are dedicating all their efforts to help decarbonise road transport. But policy makers must match the ambitious targets for vehicle manufacturers with equally ambitious conditions to enable their market uptake.”

“Europe’s whole heavy-duty transport ecosystem requires a rapid transformation, involving efforts from a wide range of public and private actors – not just truck makers,” cautioned Seidel. “We are playing our part by investing billions in zero-emission battery-electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, and this is already paying dividends for Europe’s green transition.”

“But our efforts are being impeded by a lack of three crucial elements: charging and hydrogen refilling infrastructure, effective carbon pricing schemes, and measures to support transport operators to replace conventional vehicles with zero-emission models,” Seidel added.

“Trucks remain the most flexible, responsive, and economical mode of transport, ensuring goods reach consumers, and keeping society on the move. European policy makers must not lose sight of this ahead of crucial European elections and a new European Commission mandate in 2024,” added Seidel. “Together, through better collaboration, we can both tackle climate change and safeguard competitiveness.”

Beyond CO2 targets, there is much on truck makers’ agendas for 2024: Euro 7 will require significant efforts; the Weights and Dimensions Directive is pending; and new data rules are potentially on the horizon.

Mr Seidel was elected by members of ACEA’s Commercial Vehicle Board, which brings together the CEOs of DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ford Trucks, Iveco Group, MAN Truck & Bus, Scania, and Volvo Group. He takes over office from Martin Lundstedt, CEO of Volvo Group, who held office for the past two years.

Let there be no doubt: truck and bus manufacturers are dedicating all their efforts to help decarbonise road transport. But policy makers must match the ambitious targets for vehicle manufacturers with equally ambitious conditions to enable their market uptake.