NOx emissions from trucks drop by 59 per cent since 2013

NOx emissions from trucks have dropped by at least 59 per cent in six years, according to government statistics, which the RHA attributes to the roll out of Euro VI engines.

Department for Transport figures show a continual year-on-year decline since 2013 as the RHA predicts the industry will have reduced its NOx output by at least 80 percent by 2025.

The RHA said that the industry’s £1.9bn investment in Euro VI vehicles is driving the huge reduction as it publishes its annual NOx Emission Assessment from heavy goods vehicles.

Welcoming the report, Chris Ashley, the RHA’s head of policy on the environment, said the latest assessment shows what can be achieved when well-designed standards, in this instance Euro VI, are phased in sustainably.

“As the Government’s ‘green recovery’ agenda gathers pace we believe this positive experience can be applied to the decarbonisation agenda but a repeat of DEFRA’s flawed Clean Air Zone policy must be avoided.

“Hauliers are willing to invest in the technology needed for a clean environment but they must have confidence that the regulatory framework will not retrospectively undermine that investment.”

Imposing high charges on technology deemed ‘obsolete’ without first checking there is a sufficient supply of the desired technology is a recipe for disaster. It leads to stranded assets, market distortion and waste.