ministers of industry European Union They signed a political agreement this Monday.‘Euro 7’ regulationnew regulations that will regulate polluting emissions motor vehicles -cars, vans, trucks and buses-, durability of engines and components such as brakes and tires, as well as batteries. The text of the Council currently to be discussed European Parliament, It reduces the European Commission’s ambition by delaying the entry into force of requirements to protect the European motor industry.
“Our position is to continue on the path to leading the mobility of the future and adopting realistic emission levels for the vehicles of the next decade, while also helping our industry take a decisive step towards non-polluting cars in 2035,” he summarized. Deputy Minister of Industry, Hector Gomez, the person who chairs the meeting. In his speech at the meeting, the Minister reminded that the automobile industry is facing “unprecedented” difficulties due to the consequences of the war in Ukraine, limited access to raw materials and the increase in energy prices, and reminded the agreement signed in the 20th century. seven reflects this situation.
“Given these factors, it was particularly important in the discussions on the Euro 7 proposal to find a middle ground between the need to improve air quality and protect human health, on the one hand, and ensure that the European automobile industry remains competitive on the world stage, on the other hand,” explained Gómez. he said of a proposal that has generated much debate and opposition. France, Czech Republic and Poland – all of whom eventually supported the agreement – and the industry itself.
The industry is satisfied
Finally, it was considered “a step in the right direction” and was celebrated. European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) He considers the compromise engineered by the Spanish presidency of the EU to be progress. “Compared to what is in force today, Euro 7 is much more comprehensive for new cars, light trucks and especially heavy vehicles, and requires serious engineering and testing work. Therefore, our industry will need to make very large additional investments at a time when it is investing all its resources in decarbonization,” ACEA CEO recalled. Sigrid de VriesOn the needs brought about by the ban on gasoline, diesel and hybrid cars starting from 2035.
The EU started to impose emission limits for vehicles in 1992. It has gradually tightened the requirements since then. The agreement reached on Monday continues without change Test conditions and current emission limits for passenger cars and vans set in the ‘Euro 6’ standard. For heavy vehicles (buses and coaches as well as other commercial vehicles) emission limits are reduced and minimal adjustments to test conditions are made. There are also references to the new proposed zero CO2 emission target for city buses.
Brakes and tires
The biggest innovation of the regulation is that, for the first time, it will regulate the emission limits of particles coming only from the environment. exhaust pipe but also brakes and tire wear rate limits shall comply with international standards adopted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). The rule also sets deadlines for the adoption (by the Commission) of implementing acts in order to provide legal clarity and certainty to economic actors. The European Commission’s initial plan called for the new regulation to come into force on July 1, 2025; This was an extremely “ambitious” and “unrealistic” date for the majority of member states who decided to postpone it. The Presidency’s commitment, which still needs to be negotiated and agreed with the European Parliament, proposes that it enter into force 30 months after adoption for private vehicles and passenger cars and 42 months after adoption for heavy vehicles.