The International Road Transport Union (IRU), a global road transport organization, has published its new position paper on the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA) prepared by the European Commission.

While the IRU welcomes the regulation as it supports the competitiveness of European industry and decarbonization goals, it warns that in its current form, it could create increased costs, investment uncertainty, and operational challenges in the road transport sector.
Critical Warnings from the IRU Regarding the EU Industrial Accelerator Act.

What Does the Industrial Accelerator Act Aim For?
The IAA, presented by the European Commission with a target date of 2026, aims to increase the European Union’s clean technology production capacity, reduce strategic dependencies, and accelerate investments in industry.
The draft aims to:
Provide financial support for strategic industrial projects,
Create special “Industrial Accelerator Zones”,
Prioritize products produced within the EU in public procurement,
Accelerate investments in clean technologies.
“Made in Europe” Requirement for Electric Vehicles Sparks Controversy
The draft regulation introduces a “Union Origin” or “Made in Europe” criterion for electric vehicles to be used in public support and public tenders.

According to the IRU, this approach could:
-Narrow down electric vehicle supply options,
-Increase vehicle costs,
-Limit the advantages offered by global supply chains,
-Put serious pressure on small and medium-sized transport businesses in particular.
-The 2035 Rule Increases Investment Risk
One of the IRU’s biggest objections is the post-2035 eligibility criteria included in the draft.
IRU EU Director Raluca Marian stated the following regarding the issue:
“Businesses are investing in electric fleets under current market conditions. However, the 2035 limit creates serious uncertainty about whether these vehicles will be considered eligible in future public service contracts.”

According to the IRU, this situation;
-It could lead to the early retirement of usable buses,
-Billions of euros of investment becoming idle assets,
-Damage to circular economy principles.
-Financial Risk for SMEs
The IRU emphasizes that SMEs, which make up the majority of bus and transport businesses across Europe, will be the most affected by the new rules.
The mandatory use of EU-origin vehicles could:
-Increase purchasing costs,
-Exacerbate supply shortages,
-Extend delivery times,
-Slow down the pace of electric transition.
-Logistics Infrastructure Must Also Be in the Equation
The IRU’s position paper states that not only vehicle production but also logistics infrastructure should be taken into account.

According to the organization:
-Transport terminals,
-Logistics centers,
-Connections between industrial zones,
-Should be more strongly supported under the IAA.
IRU argues that transport infrastructure is an integral element of a competitive and sustainable industrial policy. IRU’s Recommendations:
The organization requests revisions to the draft law in the following areas:
– Greater flexibility in the supply of electric vehicles
– Aligning “Made in Europe” requirements with market realities
– Re-evaluating post-2035 usage criteria
– Reducing the cost burden on SMEs
– Including logistics terminals and transport links within the scope of support
– Protecting the competitive market structure

Conclusion:
IRU emphasizes that it supports Europe’s industrial and climate goals, but that the transformation cannot be achieved by ignoring market realities. According to the organization, for the Industrial Acceleration Act to be successful, the economic realities, investment cycles, and operational needs of the road transport sector must be taken into account. Otherwise, the regulation, which aims to strengthen European industry, could increase costs in the transport sector, producing results contrary to the expected effect.