The transport sector is currently responsible for approx. 30% of final energy consumption and 20% of greenhouse gas emissions in Germany. In this context, road transport accounts for the largest share. In recent years, road freight transport in particular has steadily increased. Transport services of heavy-duty vehicles rose by 26% between 2000 and 2010. Heavy- duty vehicles (HDVs and buses >3.5 t GVW) account for about a quarter of the energy consumption in road transport at present. Current projections expect substantial increases of HDV transport in the future (2010 to 2030: +30%) and distinctly slower growth for passenger cars (+10%).

Compliance with climate change mitigation goals and the minimisation of final energy consumption requires a substantial reduction of the fuel consumption associated with heavy-duty vehicles. The European Commission is devising strategies for the reduction of CO2 emissions from heavy-duty vehicles in collaboration with its member states and published an initial Key Issues Paper in May 2014. One vital prerequisite for vehicle-related strategies is the standardised quantification of CO2 emissions from heavy-duty vehicles. The EC is currently developing an appropriate test method. The designated simulation-based approach (VECTO) should be available for application for certain vehicle categories shortly.