Key data
| Regulation | Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1815 of 24 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Official reference | OJ:L_202601815 — notified under document C(2026) 5108 |
| Publication | 28 July 2026 |
| Entry into force | Not specified in the regulation |
| Data period | Reporting year 2024 |
| Legal basis | Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 |
| Affected parties | Heavy vehicle manufacturers, transport fleets and logistics operators in the EU |
| Category | European Regulation |
If your company manages a heavy vehicle fleet or makes purchasing decisions for trucks and buses, the data published by Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1815 is front-line information. The Commission has ordered the publication of official CO2 emission values by manufacturer for the 2024 reporting period, in application of Regulation (EU) 2019/1242.
This is not a bureaucratic formality: this data has real economic consequences for manufacturers and guides purchasing decisions for thousands of fleets across Europe.
What does this regulation establish?
Implementing Decision 2026/1815 orders the publication of two types of information:
- CO2 emission values by manufacturer: individual data for each heavy vehicle manufacturer (trucks and buses) with the emission levels recorded in the 2024 reporting period.
- Average specific CO2 emissions for the entire market: the average of all new heavy vehicles registered in the European Union during 2024.
The legal framework supporting this publication is Regulation (EU) 2019/1242, which establishes CO2 performance standards for heavy vehicles. This regulation sets emission targets for each manufacturer and provides for economic penalties for those exceeding their assigned targets.
The publication of this list is the transparency mechanism that allows verification of compliance: once the data is published, it is determined which manufacturers have complied and which have exceeded their limits, which activates or rules out the payment mechanisms for excess emissions provided for in the regulation.
Economic and operational impact
The effects of this publication occur at two distinct levels:
For heavy vehicle manufacturers: the published data determines whether they have met their CO2 targets for 2024. If a manufacturer exceeds its assigned target, Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 activates payment mechanisms for excess emissions. The transparency of this information also reinforces regulatory pressure towards electrification of heavy transport in Europe, accelerating investment decisions in zero-emission technology.
For fleets and logistics operators: this data is a market intelligence tool. It allows comparison of the actual emission performance of each manufacturer before making fleet renewal decisions. A manufacturer with high emissions and close to its limit has incentives to accelerate the supply of electric or low-emission vehicles, which can translate into better commercial terms for fleet buyers.
Additionally, increasing regulatory pressure on heavy transport means that purchasing decisions for conventional vehicles made today have a shorter payback horizon and greater risk of regulatory obsolescence.
Who does it affect?
- Truck and bus manufacturers with sales in the EU: their emission data becomes public and comparable. If they exceed targets, penalties are activated.
- Road freight transport companies: with heavy truck fleets, affected by the evolution of supply and prices of low-emission vehicles.
- Passenger transport operators: bus and coach companies that renew their fleet and must anticipate the transition to electric or hydrogen vehicles.
- Logistics operators and companies with their own fleet: that make purchasing or leasing decisions for heavy vehicles and need to evaluate each manufacturer's positioning regarding regulation.
- CFOs and fleet purchasing managers: who must incorporate regulatory risk into the total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis of vehicles.
- Sustainable mobility advisors and consultants: who support companies in fleet transition.
Practical example
Imagine a freight transport company with a fleet of 50 trucks that is evaluating renewing 15 units in 2026. Before this publication, the comparison between manufacturers was based mainly on price, declared consumption and service conditions.
With the data published by Decision 2026/1815, the fleet manager can now check which manufacturers have recorded the lowest average specific CO2 emissions in 2024 and which are approaching or exceeding their assigned targets under Regulation (EU) 2019/1242.
A manufacturer that in 2024 already exceeds or approaches its limit faces greater regulatory pressure for 2025 and 2026, which can translate into: greater availability of electric or low-emission models, possible commercial incentives to accelerate the transition, or risk of increased prices for conventional vehicles if it passes the cost of penalties on to the selling price.
This analysis, based on published official data, allows for a more informed purchasing decision with lower regulatory risk in the medium term.
What should companies do now?
- Consult the official published list: access Implementing Decision 2026/1815 in the EU Official Journal to review the CO2 emission values of manufacturers you work with or are evaluating.
- Compare the positioning of your usual manufacturers: identify whether the manufacturers of your current or evaluated fleet are below, at or above their assigned targets for 2024.
- Incorporate regulatory risk into purchasing decisions: a manufacturer with high emissions faces greater pressure for 2025-2026, which can affect its product offering, prices and availability of low-emission vehicles.
- Review your fleet renewal strategy: if you plan to renew heavy vehicles in the next 12-24 months, this data should be integrated into the total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis along with future regulation scenarios.
- Follow the regulatory evolution of Regulation (EU) 2019/1242: this regulation establishes progressively more demanding targets. 2024 data is the starting point to anticipate which manufacturers will lead the transition and which will face compliance difficulties in upcoming periods.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I find the CO2 emission values by truck manufacturer for 2024?
The data is published in Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1815 of the Commission, of 24 July 2026, available in the EU Official Journal with reference OJ:L_202601815. You can access it directly at EUR-Lex. The list includes individual values by manufacturer and the average specific emissions of all new heavy vehicles registered in the EU in 2024.
What penalties can manufacturers receive if they exceed their CO2 targets?
Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 provides for payment mechanisms for excess emissions for manufacturers that exceed their assigned targets. The publication of 2024 data through Decision 2026/1815 is precisely the step that determines which manufacturers have failed to comply and activates these mechanisms. The specific amounts of penalties are regulated in Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 itself and are not detailed in this implementing decision.
How does this publication affect companies that buy trucks or buses?
For fleets and logistics operators, the published data allows comparison of the actual emission performance of each manufacturer and anticipation of its technological evolution. A manufacturer that in 2024 exceeds or approaches its limit faces greater regulatory pressure to accelerate the supply of electric or low-emission vehicles, which can translate into better commercial terms or greater availability of alternative models for fleet buyers.
What is Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 and what obligations does it impose?
Regulation (EU) 2019/1242 establishes CO2 performance standards for new heavy vehicles registered in the EU. It sets emission targets by manufacturer with progressively more demanding time horizons and provides for economic penalties for those exceeding them. The annual publication of compliance data —as ordered by Decision 2026/1815— is the transparency and control mechanism of the system.
Does this regulation require transport companies to change their fleet?
Implementing Decision 2026/1815 itself does not impose direct obligations on transport companies or fleet renewal deadlines. Obligations fall on manufacturers. However, increasing regulatory pressure on heavy transport —reinforced by the transparency of this data— accelerates the transition to low-emission vehicles and means that purchasing decisions for conventional vehicles have a payback horizon and regulatory obsolescence risk that must be assessed.
Official source
View complete regulation in official source
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202601815