Local Content Requirements for heavy-duty vehicles: ACEA's guiding principles and policy recommendations

The introduction of Local Content Requirements (LCRs) raises important considerations for European vehicle manufacturers. As heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs) have distinct characteristics, ACEA has developed specific guiding principles and policy recommendations for the HDV sector.

HDVs require a carefully calibrated policy approach. Trucks and buses are increasingly software-driven, connected and built on complex powertrain architectures, relying on integrated value chains. Any LCR framework must reflect these realities and avoid overly prescriptive or uniform solutions.

The objective of LCRs should be to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of the European industrial base while ensuring a level playing field across the value chain. LCRs can contribute to this goal, but only as part of a broader policy mix that also addresses energy costs, skills availability, infrastructure deployment and a supportive regulatory environment.

From an industrial perspective, LCRs should be pragmatic and proportionate. Requirements should not be set at individual component level, but applied at vehicle or fleet level, while explicitly recognising EU-based R&D and software development. Simplicity, legal clarity and alignment with existing EU legislation are essential to avoid unnecessary administrative burden.

Finally, timing and implementation will be critical. For trucks, a gradual phase-in no earlier than 2030 is needed to reflect investment cycles and the ramp-up of zero-emission technologies. For buses, earlier application may be justified due to the role of public procurement and competitive pressures, provided flexibility and proportionality are maintained.

Read the full document here: https://www.acea.auto/files/Local-Content-Requirements-Guiding-principles-and-policy-recommendations-for-HDV-manufacturers.pdf