normative Euro 7 will tighten vehicle emissions rules across the European Union, and that shift is already creating headaches for the automotive industry. Employers and sector associations, including anfac Spain and ACEA the European association, have voiced concerns about the potential impact on jobs and productivity. Wayne Griffiths, president of Anfac and head of Cupra, warned that Spain could see factory closures and thousands of job losses as the 2025 deadline approaches. The issue has become a topic for policymakers and industry leaders alike as it moves toward implementation in 2025.
Griffiths conveyed these concerns to Reyes Maroto, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, during the Everyone’s Mobility forum organized by Anfac. He argued that adopting Euro 7 regulations at the national level would be misguided. In Brussels, the current Euro 7 framework is viewed as unrealistic in terms of timing and financing, according to Griffiths, who described the deadline as not technically feasible and financially viable. He also warned that Euro 7 would offer only marginal improvements over Euro 6, the standard currently in force.
Electrification sources
Griffiths reminded the minister that major automakers are investing substantial sums in electrification, aiming for a European market powered by zero-emission vehicles by 2035. The push for Euro 7 would compel these manufacturers to reconsider how they allocate capital, potentially delaying or diverting funds needed to update their engine portfolios to meet new rules. He also argued that Euro 7 does not address the renewal of the vehicle fleet and could push prices higher, pointing to an estimated average increase of about 2,000 euros per vehicle.
Jose Lopez-Tafall, CEO of anfacto and a representative voice for the European press, described Euro 7 as being far more damaging for Spain than for other countries. He suggested that the impact would be greatest on smaller or mid-size vehicles that are typically produced at lower prices in the Spanish market. This sentiment echoes earlier concerns about the balance between environmental objectives and the health of the industry that supplies a significant share of the country
‘s jobs.
Lopez-Tafall urged a country-wide approach rather than a sectoral or partisan one, noting that Spain has committed to decarbonizing at specific rates that affect one of its most important economic and industrial activities. Some voices within the sector conceded that the regulatory framework was not fully developed yet and called for a cautious, phased approach. Griffiths, for his part, warned that if Euro 7 goes into effect as currently drafted, a sizable portion of Spain’s vehicle production could be eliminated by mid-2025, presenting a difficult path ahead for the industry. In short, the debate centers on aligning environmental goals with the realities of manufacturing capacity and market dynamics.