The Council of the EU has adopted two pieces of legislation shaping European transport policy. Truck manufacturers gain more time to meet emissions targets, while holidaymakers receive stronger protections when travel packages fall apart. The twin decisions reflect Brussels’ effort to balance climate ambition with practical realities for industry and consumers alike.
Both acts tackle different problems but share the same logic: the transition to cleaner, fairer transport requires room to manoeuvre. For manufacturers, that means more time to align factories and supply chains. For consumers, it means clearer rules and faster refunds when things go wrong.
The two measures passed through the Council in the same week, part of a broader push to update EU transport rules amid the bloc’s ongoing green transition.
Heavy-duty vehicles: more time to comply
Truck and other heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers secured a concession on emissions compliance timing. After months of negotiations, the parties agreed on how to distribute credits between 2025 and 2029 for CO₂ reductions. Manufacturers earn credits when their emissions fall below the target and can use them to offset higher-emitting vehicles elsewhere in their fleet.
The main change is to allow companies additional time to bank credits for later use. Between 2025 and 2029, companies can bank allowances for use after 2030, when emissions face tighter targets than today’s 50g. Proponents argue this makes it easier for manufacturers to align factories, suppliers, and distribution networks around zero-emission electric or hydrogen trucks.
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Some warned this flexibility could slow emissions reductions in the early years, as heavy-duty vehicles rank among road transport’s biggest sources of greenhouse gases. EU negotiators argued that the overall climate target does not weaken and that reductions remain legally binding—breathing space, not a free pass.
What changes for travellers
The Council of the EU adopted a directive on package travel, which protects consumers who purchase combined travel and accommodation services, sometimes including excursions. It introduces stricter rules on package travel definitions, pre-trip information, and cancellation or insolvency by travel providers.
The directive also covers complaints handling and insolvency protection for organisers. Member states must ensure that a traveller who cancels due to force majeure pays no cancellation costs and receives a refund within 14 days.
The success of our travel industry depends on travellers’ trust.
—Michael Damianos, Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry of Cyprus
Credit vouchers must comply with their denomination, duration, and transfer restrictions. Member states have 28 months after the rules enter into force to implement them. Michael Damianos, Minister of Energy, Commerce and Industry of Cyprus, said the reform aims to keep package travel attractive. “The success of our travel industry depends on travellers’ trust,” he said.
