Efficiency and GHG standards: Heavy duty
Verified on 6 June 2025
GHG and fuel efficiency standards for heavy-duty vehicles by applicable vehicle types
| Policy name | Policy Status | Summary | Publication Date | Bus | MDT | HDT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Union CO₂ Emission Standards for Heavy-Duty Vehicles | adopted | Reducing fleet average emissions for HDVs by 45% 2030, 65% by 2035, and 90% by 2040. All new urban buses will be zero emission by 2035. The new standards apply to trucks of >7.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight, coaches, and urban buses. | 2024 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| US EPA Phase 3 Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards for HDVs | adopted | Set new GHG emission reduction targets for HDVs for the model years 2027 to 2032, ranging from 25% reduction for sleeper caps to 60% for lightest vocational vehicles. | 2024 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| China Stage 4 Fuel Consumption Standard for Heavy-Duty Commercial Vehicles | adopted | Tightens fuel consumption limits by 12-16% for heavy-duty commercial vehicles, including tractor-trailers, coaches, trucks, and buses with GVW over 3,500 kg. The rule takes effect on July 1, 2025, for new vehicle models and applies to all new vehicles sold starting July 1, 2027. | 2024 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| China Stage VI Emission Standard for Heavy-Duty Vehicles | adopted | Reducing NOx and PM by around 70% from the previous standard, while also adopting more representative World Harmonized test cycles. It will be implemented in two phases, with the more stringent VI-b phase adding anti-tampering features and becoming mandatory for all new vehicles by July 2023. | 2024 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Source: ICCT research