The transition toward climate neutrality goals by 2050 is a key priority of the European Union (EU), which has adopted an ambitious legislative and strategic framework to decarbonize all economic sectors. Among these, the transport sector – particularly road freight transport – remains one of the most challenging to decarbonize due to its heavy reliance on fossil fuels, complex logistics chains, and significant operational and geographical constraints. As a result, this sector is widely recognized as “hard-to-abate” and requires integrated policies that combine technological, infrastructural, and behavioral changes. To address these challenges, the EU has progressively implemented a comprehensive normative system over the past two decades, including high-level strategies and targets (e.g., the European Green Deal, the Fit for 55 package), emission standards, carbon pricing mechanisms (ETS and ETS II), and infrastructure regulations (e.g., AFIR), along with a growing portfolio of Renewable Energy Directives (RED I, II, III). These measures aim at reducing the carbon footprint by promoting energy efficiency, renewable fuels, electrification of freight vehicles, and development of alternative fuel infrastructure. This paper provides a structured and holistic review of EU freight decarbonization policies, with a particular emphasis on the alignment between legislative frameworks and real-world implementation strategies. Its original contribution is bridging regulatory theory and operational feasibility, offering a practical reference for policymakers and transport planners. Unlike previous literature reviews, this study integrates the ASI FOR FREIGHT research project – funded under Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan within the National Center for Sustainable Mobility (MOST), Spoke 10 – as a concrete case study that tests how EU decarbonization policies are applied in practice. Through a combined policy review and applied analysis, the study explores the regulatory landscape and its implications for heavy and light freight transport. This dual approach enhances methodological clarity and provides original insights into how European legislation supports the transition toward sustainable freight systems, thereby informing policymakers, stakeholders, and researchers.
A Roadmap to Low-Carbon Freight Transport: A Review of EU Directives and Regulations
Falanga Antonella;Picone Mariarosaria;Greco Federica Maria;Carteni Armando
2025
Abstract
The transition toward climate neutrality goals by 2050 is a key priority of the European Union (EU), which has adopted an ambitious legislative and strategic framework to decarbonize all economic sectors. Among these, the transport sector – particularly road freight transport – remains one of the most challenging to decarbonize due to its heavy reliance on fossil fuels, complex logistics chains, and significant operational and geographical constraints. As a result, this sector is widely recognized as “hard-to-abate” and requires integrated policies that combine technological, infrastructural, and behavioral changes. To address these challenges, the EU has progressively implemented a comprehensive normative system over the past two decades, including high-level strategies and targets (e.g., the European Green Deal, the Fit for 55 package), emission standards, carbon pricing mechanisms (ETS and ETS II), and infrastructure regulations (e.g., AFIR), along with a growing portfolio of Renewable Energy Directives (RED I, II, III). These measures aim at reducing the carbon footprint by promoting energy efficiency, renewable fuels, electrification of freight vehicles, and development of alternative fuel infrastructure. This paper provides a structured and holistic review of EU freight decarbonization policies, with a particular emphasis on the alignment between legislative frameworks and real-world implementation strategies. Its original contribution is bridging regulatory theory and operational feasibility, offering a practical reference for policymakers and transport planners. Unlike previous literature reviews, this study integrates the ASI FOR FREIGHT research project – funded under Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan within the National Center for Sustainable Mobility (MOST), Spoke 10 – as a concrete case study that tests how EU decarbonization policies are applied in practice. Through a combined policy review and applied analysis, the study explores the regulatory landscape and its implications for heavy and light freight transport. This dual approach enhances methodological clarity and provides original insights into how European legislation supports the transition toward sustainable freight systems, thereby informing policymakers, stakeholders, and researchers.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
