Clean Fleets, Complex Reality: Bridging EU Ambition and Market Feasibility
07 June 2026METRO calls for a pragmatic, investment‑friendly transition to clean corporate fleets—prioritising public‑led infrastructure, targeted subsidies, over binding zero‑emission quotas to ensure economic and operational feasibility.
Built upon the earlier Strategic Dialogue initiated in January of the same year, the plan aims to nurture a robust, sustainable, and globally competitive automotive ecosystem.
A key component of the plan is the Commission proposal for a Regulation on Clean Corporate Vehicles from December 2025, which highlights that corporate fleets account for approximately 60% of new vehicle registrations in the EU. The Commission encourages Member States and cities to adopt best practices in fleet decarbonisation—such as setting taxi zero‑emission mandates and expanding charging infrastructure at hubs like airports. According to the proposal each member state must ensure that a minimum share of corporate fleet purchases are low-emission vehicles (LEV) with a sub-target for zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) starting from 2030.
METRO supports the EU’s climate objectives but raises strong concerns about the feasibility of binding Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) quotas in commercial transport. Current technological, infrastructural, and economic conditions do not support a mandatory transition. Hence; we advocate for a pragmatic, investment-friendly approach that includes predictable infrastructure development and coordinated public-private collaboration to ensure a sustainable transformation of the logistics sector.
Key Challenges
- Technological Gaps: Battery-electric trucks suffer from limited range, long charging times, and reduced payload capacity, especially problematic for temperature-controlled logistics.
- Infrastructure Deficits: There is a critical lack of public charging and hydrogen refueling stations, and private infrastructure development is hindered by high costs and grid limitations.
- Economic Risks: ZEVs are significantly more expensive than diesel alternatives. Without fiscal incentives and public investment, mandatory quotas could threaten business viability, particularly for SMEs and specialized operators.
Policy Recommendations
METRO calls for a public-led infrastructure rollout, targeted subsidies, and balanced public-private partnerships to de-risk private investment. Regionally tailored solutions, especially in rural areas are necessary as well as building maintenance and repair capacity. A one-size-fits-all regulatory approach could undermine economic cohesion and industrial competitiveness across the EU.
You can read our full position paper here.