Newsroom

The Clean Industrial Deal recognises the role of competitiveness in achieving decarbonisation goals. However, it overlooks critical sectors that support manufacturing and provide essential clean mobility services. Ensuring all decarbonisation solutions are implemented in a cost-effective manner is equally essential.

At the EU- and ILO-backed THAMM Plus event in Rabat, Morocco, this week, IRU outlined how improving driver mobility from third countries to the EU tackles two challenges: chronic driver shortages and subpar professional qualification standards.

Decarbonising road transport and developing the necessary skills took centre stage at this week’s Green Impact Expo & Summit in Morocco, where IRU laid out actionable strategies for a sustainable, skilled future in mobility.

IRU joined the European Commission and industry leaders at the Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the European Automotive Industry today, reinforcing the need for a realistic approach to the clean mobility transition.

The fourth IRU Green Compact roundtable, hosted by IRU member TotalEnergies, brought together key industry players to discuss the challenges and opportunities of implementing alternative fuels in commercial road transport.

IRU has presented key findings from an EU study on the recruitment of third-country professional drivers at the final STEER2EU workshop. The study, entrusted to IRU by the European Commission, supports efforts to tackle Europe’s growing driver shortage.

IRU and industry partners have signed an open letter urging EU Member States and the European Commission to preserve and strengthen dedicated European transport funding in the next EU budget. The call comes as discussions intensify on the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework review, which will shape the bloc’s budget priorities for the coming years.

As part of the organisation’s 2025 staff kick-off, IRU teams got a front-row seat to the exciting challenges and opportunities of road transport, visiting top mobility companies in Geneva and Brussels and exploring the history of customs in Beijing.

We turned to Global Petrol Prices for insights into key trends and projections.

IRU’s first roundtable on technology and innovation centred on the challenges, integration and potential of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) in commercial road transport.

As road transport heads towards carbon neutrality, we spoke with fuel platform specialist xavvy for insights on the latest challenges and opportunities. From renewable natural gas and ultra-fast charging to digital interfaces and fleet management, here’s what’s shaping the future of alternative fuels.

IRU acknowledges the Council’s efforts to update the Package Travel Directive (PTD) with the removal of payment restrictions. However, concerns over unclear cancellation rules, vouchers and strict refund timelines remain, posing challenges for bus and coach operators and SMEs.

IRU has awarded the prestigious IRU Diploma of Honour to 1,847 outstanding bus, coach, taxi, and truck drivers from 23 countries worldwide in recognition of their remarkable driving and safety achievements.

At the European Parliament today, Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas and Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) met with travel and tourism industry leaders to advance strategies for enhancing sustainability and resilience within the sector.

The Council of the European Union’s adoption of its general approaches on passenger rights enforcement and multimodal journey regulation marks a significant step forward in safeguarding passengers and supporting operators. IRU welcomes, in particular, the clarification of the scope and the realistic extension of reimbursement deadlines. However, critical gaps remain, including the need to consider the unique position of small enterprises and set clearer rules on intermediary liability.

The European Parliament has advanced the CountEmissionsEU proposal, setting the stage for trilogue negotiations, recognising road transport needs, especially for SMEs.

A new training initiative is helping bus and coach drivers across the UK deliver inclusive and accessible journeys for blind and partially sighted passengers.

At their annual meeting, IRU Academy Associate Training Institutes (ATIs) from around the world explored the critical role of harmonisation, innovation and transparency in fostering a skilled professional road transport workforce.

With driver shortages showing no sign of easing, IRU highlighted the win-win potential of third-country drivers at the EU Labour Mobility Practitioners’ Network Conference.

World Sustainable Transport Day, celebrated on 26 November, is a special occasion to highlight and advance safe, accessible and sustainable transport.

At COP29’s ministerial roundtable on greening urban transport, IRU’s Secretary General highlighted the critical role of collective bus, coach and taxi transport in meeting global decarbonisation targets.

The key distinction between young bus and truck drivers and private car drivers lies in the professional nature of their activity. In letters addressed to Council and Parliament negotiators, IRU has challenged the misconceptions underpinning the minimum driving age debate during the Driving Licence Directive revision.

By offering access to one of the largest energy-agnostic acceptance networks in Europe, DKV Mobility is helping road transport operators maximise the benefits of all available decarbonisation fuel solutions.

Decarbonisation is one of the key challenges facing road transport operators. Help the sector obtain reliable data to fuel our insights as well as advocacy with international organisations and governments.

The IRU General Assembly and council meetings in Geneva last week brought together IRU members from around the world to discuss pressing road transport challenges, share solutions and elect the organisation’s new leadership.

The General Assembly of IRU, the world road transport organisation, has unanimously re-elected Radu Dinescu as President along with new vice presidents and a new Presidential Executive. The 2025-2027 term will mark two significant firsts for women in commercial road transport.

IRU, together with two other major transport organisations, has called on EU lawmakers to back critical measures and ensure that EU public transport services remain sustainable and accessible amid a severe shortage of bus and coach drivers.

Which truck powertrain has the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO)? Which one reduces CO₂ emissions the most? And what determines the TCO? We did the analysis in our latest Intelligence Briefing.

IRU and partners have called on Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to revive the EU’s focus on the fundamental role of public transport.

IRU and FIA will run eco-driving awareness sessions for 5,000 public bus and taxi drivers in Baku ahead of COP29 to help reduce CO₂ emissions during the world’s biggest climate conference.

IRU has called on the European Commission to formally clarify the practical implications of the Court of the European Union’s recent judgment on several contested Mobility Package 1 provisions.

IRU has joined leading industry stakeholders in a joint call to revise EU CO₂ emission standards, urging policymakers to embrace a technology-neutral approach to decarbonising road transport.

The FREENOW app provides multiple mobility choices to its users across Europe.

Road transport leaders from across the EU and members of the new European Parliament came together last week for a dinner debate on the sector’s top priorities for this legislative term.

Industry leaders and Members of the European Parliament meet today to discuss and define the next steps for the EU commercial road transport sector.