Scope of application
In accordance with the Federal CO2 Act, the CO2 emission regulations for light commercial vehicles apply to all light commercial and light articulated vehicles that are registered in Switzerland for the first time. The term “light commercial vehicles” applies to vehicles in category N1 and vehicle type 30 or 38 with a maximum total weight of 3.5 tonnes. Vehicles that were previously registered in Switzerland are not subject to these regulations. The regulations also do not apply to light commercial vehicles that have been registered abroad more than six months prior to their customs declaration in Switzerland, and to those with an unladen weight of more than 2,585 kilograms that were tested using the procedure for heavy motor vehicles in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 595/2009 and do not indicate emission levels in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 715/2007.
Target level
Implementation is essentially the same as for target levels for cars. For each importer an individual level is specified on the basis of the average target of 147 grams per kilometre, taking account of the unladen weight of the vehicle. If an importer fails to meet the specified individual target with the vehicle fleet, a penalty will apply per gram of CO2 emissions above the target and per vehicle. For the calculation, a distinction is made between small and large-scale importers.
Special aspects
In principle, the regulations are strongly harmonised with the provisions of the corresponding EU Regulation. But in contrast with the EU, certain relief mechanisms are also planned in Switzerland for imports of light commercial vehicles. These correspond to those for cars and encompass a period of phasing-in and super credits until the end of 2022. Furthermore, emissions pools may also be formed, though these have to be separate from any emissions pools for cars. Special regulations such as those granting special targets for vehicles produced by small and niche manufacturers, taking account of ecological innovations, assignments, etc., also apply to light commercial vehicles.
