EU agrees to watered-down Euro 7 rules for cars and vans

EU Ministers have today agreed on softer Euro 7 emissions regulations.

The new Euro 7 standard, which for the first time covers cars, vans and heavy-duty vehicles in a single set of rules, aims to set more adequate rules for vehicle emissions and to further lower air pollutant emissions from road transport.

Euro 7 rules maintain existing test conditions and emissions limits (as established in Euro 6) for cars and vans.

However, stricter rules will apply for heavy-duty vehicles with lower emission limits and slightly adjusted test conditions (in comparison with Euro 6/VI).

Euro 7 will also set limits for non-exhaust emissions such as particles from brakes and tyres. It additionally covers minimum performance requirements for battery durability in electric cars, and imposes stricter vehicle lifetime requirements to boost confidence in electric vehicles.

The regulation also provides for the use of advanced technologies and emission-monitoring tools.

Héctor Gómez Hernández, Spain’s acting minister for industry, trade and tourism said: “Europe is known across the globe for producing low-emission and top-quality cars. We want to continue pursuing the goal of improving air quality. Our position is to continue the path of leading the mobility of the future and adopting realistic emissions levels for the vehicles of the next decade while helping our industry make the definitive leap towards clean cars in 2035.

“The Spanish presidency has been sensitive to the different demands and requests of the member states and we believe that, with this proposal, we achieved broad support, a balance in the investment costs of the manufacturing brands and we improve the environmental benefits derived from the regulation.”

The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) takes note of the agreement on Euro 7 reached by national ministers today: “The member states’ position is an improvement on the European Commission’s Euro 7 proposal – which was entirely disproportionate, driving high costs for industry and customers, with limited environmental benefits,” stated ACEA Director General, Sigrid de Vries.

“The Council’s aim to continue the effective Euro 6/VI tests is sensible. However, compared to what is in place today, Euro 7 is much broader for new cars, vans and, in particular, heavy-duty vehicles, requiring significant engineering and testing efforts. As such, it will require huge additional investments from our industry at a time when it is pouring all its resources into decarbonisation.”

“Our industry is fully committed to tackling air pollution and climate change,” de Vries added. “We now call on member states, the European Parliament, and the Commission to work towards a Euro 7 regulation that will enable us to focus on these dual objectives while keeping vehicles affordable and our sector competitive.”

The general approach agreed today formalises the EU Council’s negotiating position. It provides the Council presidency with a mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament, which will start as soon as the Parliament adopts its position.