Daimler Truck CEO warns EU CO₂ rules could cripple Europe’s trucking industry

Karin Rådström, chief executive of Daimler Truck, told the German press that the European Union’s target to cut CO₂ emissions from heavy‑duty trucks by 43 % by 2030 threatens the very existence of the continent’s commercial‑vehicle sector. She warned that missing the target could cost the company about €120 million for each percentage point lost, and a 10‑point shortfall would render the Mercedes‑Benz Truck division unprofitable. Only 2 % of new trucks were electric in 2025, yet the EU plan requires roughly 35 % of new registrations to be battery‑electric or hydrogen‑powered by 2030. Rådström cited inadequate charging infrastructure, high diesel prices and the need for cost parity as major obstacles, calling for a “real‑world check’’ of the regulations.

The warning reflects broader concerns about Europe’s industrial competitiveness amid rising energy costs, strict environmental rules and competition from Asia and the United States. Analysts note that de‑industrialisation risks include job losses and weakened economic growth if firms cannot meet the green‑technology investment burdens.

Separately, Germany recorded its highest number of drowning deaths in June in 23 years, a trend linked to hotter weather and increased water recreation, underscoring public‑safety challenges alongside the economic issues.