After five weeks of intensive work, the Expert Forum on Climate-Friendly Mobility and Infrastructure (EKMI), convened by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV), has presented its final report. After five weeks of intensive consultation, the “Expert Forum on Climate-Friendly Mobility and Infrastructure” (EKMI) has submitted its findings to the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV). In June 2025, the forum was established on the initiative of Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder.
The aim was to develop concrete recommendations for action for the contribution of the transport sector to the federal government's climate protection program, the ministry says.
Focus on Measures for the Transport Sector
The EKMI consists of 27 independent experts from science and practice. Under the leadership of State Secretary Dr. Claudia Elif Stutz, the committee analyzed a portfolio of 33 measures based on the coalition agreement of the 21st legislative period. The measures were discussed and evaluated from ecological, economic, and social perspectives.
The recommendations are now to be incorporated into the BMV's departmental contribution, which the ministry must submit to the Federal Ministry for the Environment by mid-September 2025. The federal government is required
to present a new climate protection program by March 2026 at the latest.
Decarbonization of Road Freight Transport in Focus
A central theme of the report is the decarbonization of heavy road freight transport. As stated in the final report, the sector accounts for about one-third of CO2 emissions in road transport. Therefore, the report sets the goal of achieving about one-third of the transport performance electrically or with the help of electricity-based fuels by 2030.
The forum therefore recommends targeted promotion of investments in emission-free commercial vehicles, charging infrastructure, and alternative fuels. The funding structure must particularly cater to the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises. For them, as stated in the report, the transition is associated with high investment costs that often cannot be immediately passed on to customers.
Infrastructure and Tolls: Recommendations with Conflict Potential
The EKMI advocates extending the toll exemption for emission-free trucks until at least 2032. This is intended to create investment security. There is disagreement within the forum regarding whether vehicles with renewable fuels should also be exempt from tolls. Some members reject this due to verifiability issues, while
others call for a technology-neutral design.
Another point of contention concerns the use of revenue from the CO2-based truck toll. While some members call for dedicated reinvestment in road freight transport, others advocate for stronger support for rail and waterway transport. No consensus was reached on this issue within the EKMI.
Charging and Refueling Infrastructure for Heavy-Duty Transport
The forum identifies the development of charging infrastructure for electric trucks as a central prerequisite for the conversion of the transport sector. Measures are recommended for both company premises and public charging points on highways and in service areas. Additionally, the EKMI calls for targeted promotion of hydrogen filling stations along the TEN-T corridor. Here too, a technology-neutral implementation is sought, considering both gaseous and liquid hydrogen.
Furthermore, the forum suggests relieving transport companies of electricity pricing. A reduced electricity price analogous to the industrial electricity price could help reduce operating costs for companies in the logistics sector.
Regulatory Needs in Technology and Financing
The forum also discusses adjustments to the European legal framework. It suggests a revision of the EU Directive 96/53/EC to better account for the
additional weight of battery-electric trucks. There is disagreement over whether this should be implemented uniformly or progressively based on additional technical weight. The introduction of an E-label for commercial vehicles is also recommended to make electrically powered vehicles visible.
Overall, the EKMI finds that implementing the measures requires substantial financial resources. The committee emphasizes the necessity of a sustainable financing concept to secure the long-term transformation of the transport sector. The special fund used so far can only be a temporary solution.
Impact on Companies and Personnel
From a social perspective, the EKMI warns against potential market displacement of smaller providers if support measures are not adequately targeted. Additionally, the charging infrastructure must also consider rest time-compatible facilities for driving personnel. Electric propulsion could improve working conditions, for example, through less noise and vibrations in the vehicle.
Importance for Crisis Preparedness
Finally, the EKMI emphasizes the importance of a functioning road freight transport system for supply security. In crisis situations such as pandemics or natural disasters, road transport remains indispensable. Therefore, a robust, low-emission logistics system is not only a climate policy task but also a
