Decarbonising buses: "I'm against the CO2 regulation" (Valérie Pécresse, Île-de-France Mobilités)

"I am opposed to the European regulation on CO2 emissions. We need to adopt an exemption for local authorities using biomethane vehicles during the review clause scheduled for 2027. If we don't, we will be dependent on China for all the components of our fleet", declared Valérie Pécresse, President of the Ile-de-France Regional Council and Chair of Île-de-France Mobilités, in her introduction to the Assises pour la décarbonation du bus, on 02/07/2025.

The European regulation on CO2 emission standards for heavy goods vehicles was published in the OJEU in June 2024. As a regulation (mandatory European act), it requires city bus manufacturers to produce 90% zero-emission heavy commercial vehicles between 2030 and 2034, rising to 100% from 2034.

As part of its energy transition strategy, Île-de-France Mobilités has opted for and invested in new biomethane and electric buses and coaches. The CO2 regulation excludes biomethane from the list of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles, while including electric and hydrogen vehicles.

For Clément Beaune, the French Haut-Commissaire à la Stratégie et…