Belgium – In one of his first acts as newly appointed European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) president, Mercedes-Benz Group AG chairman Ola Källenius wrote a letter to EU legislators outlining guidelines to increase the competitiveness of the European automotive sector. This came in response to shrinking 2024 EU truck registrations. Whilst making the argument that Europe can maintain competitiveness whilst reaching its climate goals, the Union faces a multitude of issues relating to the rise of the Chinese EV automotive industry, pending American tariffs from the new Trump regime, internal political instability and unforeseen market reluctance relating to the uptake of zero-emission trucks. 

The key sentiment was around “shifting from a penalty-driven model to a market-driven transition” to zero-emission CVs. This will encompass addressing compliance costs, reforming the EU’s regulatory framework and rolling out refuelling/recharging infrastructure en-masse. Another component will be the production of cheaper and more sustainable renewable energy whilst negotiating favourable trade relations with other nations.