VECTO regulations: how stricter EU emission standards are reshaping heavy-duty transport

The European Commission created VECTO to tackle CO₂ emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, which contribute 6% of human-related CO₂ in the European Union ⁽¹⁾. Since 2019, OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) must declare emissions for each new truck with a maximum gross vehicle weight of 16 tonnes or more. Since January 2020, it has also included light delivery vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 7.5 tonnes or more.

As of April 2024, the rules have tightened—covering buses, trailers, and setting post-2030 targets. Toll pricing is now tied to a vehicle’s VECTO score, increasing the stakes for truck manufacturers and fleets.

These changes are expected to significantly reduce the environmental impact of road freight transport.

Keep reading to find out how and when these changes will affect your fleet and contribute to reducing its environmental impact!

The VECTO regulation initially covered segments making up 70% of heavy vehicle emissions; now it targets 95% by including smaller sub-segments.

The first iteration of the regulation only set the target of lowering CO₂ emissions by 15% by 2025 and by 30% by 2030. The new edition requires truck manufacturers to lower emissions by 45% by 2030, 65% by 2035 and ultimately 90% by 2040.⁽¹⁾

Non-compliance is costly—fines range from €4,250 to €6,800 per extra gram of CO₂ per tonne-km.⁽¹⁾ For an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) registering 30,000 vehicles, one extra gram per vehicle, could result in fines of €127.5 million for just one year’s production.⁽²⁾

How will truck trailers be impacted by VECTO?

Trailer manufacturers will feel VECTO impacts immediately. With fewer levers to achieve this strict objective, compared to truck makers, tyres will be a real game changer.

VECTO calculates the combined CO₂ emissions of the tractor and trailer, so optimising the trailer can reduce the combined CO₂ emissions and thus lower the environmental impact of the entire vehicle configuration.

Why truck trailers?

VECTO calculates the combined CO₂ emissions of the tractor and trailer, so optimising the trailer can reduce the combined CO₂ emissions.

What’s the expected timeline and penalties?

Trailers registered in the European Union between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026 will set the baseline. Trailer makers must reach CO₂ targets for trailers registered between July 1, 2029 and June 30, 2030.

Starting in 2030, trailer makers who exceed the target will be charged 4,250 € per CO₂ g/t.km per trailer registered.

VECTO was developed with OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) and academic input to ensure a uniform and fair calculation method, and to promote greater transparency in emissions reporting. It uses component-level data from five key areas: engine, tyre rolling resistance, cab aerodynamics, axle performance, and transmission efficiency.

Trucks are ranked into four CO₂ classes—Class 1 being the highest emitters, Class 4 the lowest.

The European Union tracks each truck manufacturer vehicle emissions. Annual totals are calculated based on sales volume and CO₂ ratings.

Since 2019, VECTO has shaped OEM strategy. For fleets, the VECTO tool drives significant changes, particularly as regulations tie toll costs directly to a truck’s emissions class.

Germany was first to implement VECTO-based tolling, raising rates from 19 to 35 cents/km in late 2023. ⁽³⁾ This sharp increase created a major financial incentive for fleets to invest in lower-emission vehicles.

• A Class 3 truck driving 100,000 km/year saves €1,600 over a Class 1.⁽⁴⁾

• A truck’s VECTO class is fixed for six years after truck purchase, making lower-emission models a long-term financial priority

International fleets—even those based in countries where the regulation is not yet enforced—face increased costs when crossing into countries with active tolling systems.

Tyres account for as much as one-third of truck's CO₂ emissions ⁽⁵⁾ ౼ making tyre selection not only critical for fleet operators and truck manufacturers, but also essential to minimizing the vehicle’s environmental impact. Manufacturers are increasingly promoting low rolling resistance tyres which lower CO₂ emissions, improving a truck’s overall VECTO score.

While it’s tempting to focus solely on reducing rolling resistance, Michelin emphasises the importance of equipping truck trailers with tyres that match the fleet's actual usage.

• Highway fleets benefit from tyres with an A-rating for fuel efficiency.

• Regional/construction vehicles need grip and/or robustness.

MICHELIN’s portfolio integrates technology that lowers rolling resistance and fuel consumption without compromising durability or mileage.

• Michelin A-rated tyres feature 12 cm of tread depth compared to the standard 9 cm. ⁽⁶⁾

• Michelin X^® LINE ENERGY™ tyres proven to last 30% in a DEKRA-certified study. ⁽⁷⁾ 

Once figured out VECTO compliance, explore all you need to know about "Choosing truck OE tyres".