Last week, the Court of Justice of the European Union, issued a ruling on the Mobility Package.

One of the key provisions, regarding mandatory returns of the vehicles every 8 weeks to the country of registration, has been annulled.

The obligation for vehicles to return to the country where the transport company is based, was one of the most controversial elements of the Mobility Package within the European transport industry. 

The regulation was deemed inadequately justified, potentially inconsistent with EU principles, and lacked sufficient analysis of its economic and environmental impact.

At the same time, this decision acknowledged that mandatory returns could lead to empty kilometers and reduce transport capacity.

This rule was therefore costly for carriers and clashed with the EU’s climate policy, which focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in road transport. 

The requirement for hundreds of thousands of vehicles to return to their base every eight weeks significantly contributed to that emissions.

The Luxembourg court’s decision has received varied responses across the European transport industry. Nevertheless, the ruling is final, and the future of the Mobility Package is now clear.

Norway implemented the Mobility Package into its legislation on November 1, 2022, meaning these changes also apply to transport companies operating within its territory.