Future-proofing the EU’s road transport sector: A roadmap for policymaker action

The commercial road transport sector is essential to the EU’s economy, responsible for moving over 77% of inland goods and connecting millions of people daily. However, as the EU moves towards greener, more inclusive economies, the industry faces challenges on multiple fronts: a critical shortage of professional drivers, rising environmental concerns, and the need for increased efficiency. In this context, the International Road Transport Union (IRU) has published its Manifesto for 2024–2029, providing a roadmap for how the European Parliament can support this critical industry in the coming years. ​

Raluca Marian is the director of EU advocacy and general delegate, IRU’s Permanent Delegation to the European Union, the International Road Transport Union (IRU)

Focused on three key pillars – people, environment and prosperity – the manifesto calls on the European Parliament to take decisive action to secure the sector’s future. EU policymakers can ensure that road transport continues to drive growth, sustainability and security across Europe. But will they seize this opportunity?

To secure a prosperous future for all EU citizens, road transport industry players need support from policymakers now more than ever. Timely action is not just a necessity but an economic imperative.

Addressing the human capital crisis

One of the most pressing challenges facing the EU’s road transport sector is the acute shortage of professional drivers. Currently, the sector is short by half a million drivers, which is projected to grow by 17% over the next five years. With an ageing workforce and low recruitment rates – only 5% of truck drivers and 2.7% of bus drivers are under 25 – the sector is struggling to replenish its ranks. Without action, the shortage could lead to severe disruptions in supply chains and mobility networks across Europe.

The IRU Manifesto calls for a series of actions to ease the access to the profession and improve working conditions. This includes revising the EU Driving Licence Directive to close the "school-to-wheel" gap, ensuring that fully trained young graduates can enter the workforce more smoothly. Additionally, the Manifesto highlights the need for a harmonised mechanism for recognising third-country driving licences, which would help address the shortage by broadening the pool of potential drivers.

Improving driver conditions is also critical to recruitment and retention. The Manifesto calls for the creation of safe and secure truck parking areas across Europe, which would not only improve driver welfare but also enhance road safety. By providing EU funding and simplifying the application process for building parking areas, the EU can help address one of the key reasons why drivers are leaving the profession.

Environmental responsibility must be balanced with realism

The environmental challenge is another hurdle for the road transport industry. The sector is committed to being carbon neutral by 2050, but reaching this target requires a delicate balance between ambitious emissions goals and realistic expectations.

Recent years have seen a significant increase in electric vehicle registrations, including buses and trucks. However, the grid infrastructure is far from ready to support the widespread deployment of electric heavy-duty vehicles. The Manifesto stresses the need for an EU-coordinated approach to upgrading the grid, ensuring it can meet the massive power demand required for a transition to electric vehicles.

The Manifesto calls for realistic CO₂ emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles, with exemptions for high-capacity vehicles and the introduction of carbon-neutral fuels as a viable option alongside electricity and hydrogen. This would allow the sector to make meaningful progress towards decarbonisation without jeopardising the ability to meet transport needs.

Another pressing issue is the patchwork of urban vehicle access restrictions (UVARs) across European cities. These measures, often implemented unilaterally, create confusion and inefficiency for road transport operators. The IRU Manifesto advocates for harmonising UVAR regulations across the EU, establishing a digital single window for accessing UVAR information, and ensuring that the rules consider the operational realities of road transport.

Streamlining for prosperity: digitalisation and efficiency

Commercial road transport is the backbone of the EU economy, contributing 1.4% to its GDP and employing over five million people​. However, the industry is weighed down by administrative burdens, particularly due to the lack of digital infrastructure. The IRU Manifesto calls for the digitalisation of transport documents, which would streamline processes, reduce costs and increase efficiency. The European Parliament has already made some progress in this area, with the implementation of the electronic freight transport information regulation (eFTI), but much more needs to be done.

Another key issue is in-vehicle data. Modern vehicles generate vast amounts of data, much of which could be used to improve efficiency and reduce costs. However, operators currently lack control over this data, leaving them vulnerable to misuse by third parties. IRU calls for specific legislation that ensures operators have access to, and control over, the data generated by their vehicles.

Finally, the Manifesto emphasises the need to update the EU’s weights and dimensions regulations. Current rules often prevent the use of larger, more efficient vehicles in cross-border trade, even when both countries allow for heavier loads. By enacting more pragmatic regulations, the European Parliament can help the road transport sector become more efficient and sustainable.

The roadmap ahead

As the European Parliament embarks on its next legislative term, it must prioritise supporting the EU’s road transport sector. The IRU Manifesto provides a clear roadmap for how to address the sector's challenges while driving growth, security and sustainability.

The calls to action are clear: ease access to the driver profession and improve working conditions, set realistic decarbonisation targets with grid upgrades, and digitalise transport documents to streamline regulation. By enacting these measures, the European Parliament can ensure that the road transport sector continues to thrive, supporting not only the economy but also the communities that rely on its services every day.

As we look to the future, it is crucial to remember that road transport will remain a vital part of Europe’s economic and social fabric. With the right support, the industry can overcome its current challenges and pave the way for a more sustainable and prosperous Europe.

By adopting a holistic approach that balances the needs of people, the environment and prosperity, the European Parliament has the opportunity to lay the groundwork for a robust and resilient road transport sector that benefits all EU citizens.