(1)

Council Directive 96/53/EC (3) was amended by Directive (EU) 2015/719 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4) with the aim of reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, to adapt the legislation to technological developments and changing market needs and to facilitate intermodal transport.

(2)

The improved aerodynamics of the cabs of motor vehicles would allow significant gains in the energy performance of vehicles. However, this improvement was impossible under the maximum length restrictions set out by Directive 96/53/EC without reducing the vehicle load capacity. Therefore, a derogation from maximum length restrictions was introduced by Directive (EU) 2015/719.

(3)

The derogation from maximum length restrictions introduced by Directive (EU) 2015/719 is to apply from the date three years after the date of transposition or application of the necessary amendments as regards technical type-approval requirements.

(4)

In order for the benefits of aerodynamic cabs, in terms of energy performance of heavy goods vehicles, but also in terms of better visibility for drivers, safety for other road users as well as safety and comfort for drivers, to materialise as early as possible, it is necessary to ensure that such aerodynamic cabs can be introduced without unnecessary delay, as soon as the necessary type-approval requirements are in place.

(5)

The transport sector and equipment manufacturers need sufficient time to develop new services and products. In order to reap the benefits of more flexible design rules for cabs, it is important that the Commission takes action to ensure that the necessary technical provisions can be adopted as soon as possible, to allow for a smooth and swift entry into the markets of a new generation of cabs. Moreover, the Commission and the Member States, acting in their respective roles in the Technical Committee on Motor Vehicles, established by Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (5), should make all efforts to ensure that an opinion is delivered swiftly. If the measures envisaged by the Commission are not in accordance with the opinion of that committee, or if no opinion is delivered, the Commission will act without delay in accordance with Article 5a(4) of Council Decision 1999/468/EC (6).

(6)

Directive 96/53/EC should therefore be amended accordingly,

(1)

in paragraph 2, the second subparagraph, after point (d), is replaced by the following:

‘To that end, the Commission shall take the measures necessary, within the framework of Directive 2007/46/EC, to provide for the type-approval of vehicles or vehicle combinations referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article by 1 November 2019.’;

(2)

paragraph 3 is replaced by the following: