Against all expectations, the European Parliament and the twenty-seven passed a decision not to strengthen the standards of pollution of exhaust gases of passenger cars in the European Union. The move is aimed at saving additional costs for the auto industry, which is already facing significant investment in the development of electric vehicles.
However, contrary to what one might think at first glance, the future Euro-7 standard was not canceled, on the contrary, because it was even approved. It will also lead to lower emission thresholds for heavy-duty vehicles. More importantly, it will be presented for the first time in Europe restrictions on emissions of solid particles from brake and tire wear.
Electric cars also fall under the Euro 7 standard
The Euro 7 standard also sets minimum requirements for the durability of batteries in electric and hybrid cars. These batteries must be stored at least 72% of their capacity after eight years or 160,000 km.
Although the deal has been approved by co-legislators, it still needs formal approval from parliament and member states before it can enter into force. If implemented, the new rules will only apply 30 months after approval for cars and vans and four years after entry into force for buses and trucks.
These standards, although less ambitious than those proposed by the European Commission in November 2022, reflect a position that takes into account the concerns of the automotive industry. In addition, France and Italy have played a key role in protecting the interests of this sector, which provides 14 million jobs in the EU.
The term until 2035 has been preserved
Manufacturers, faced with huge investments in developing electric ranges, have warned of the consequences for employment and car prices if the standards are too strict.
This decision was made in the conditions when the European Union has already planned to stop sales of new gasoline and diesel cars from 2035. At the moment, Europe has no intention of reversing its decision.
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Source: Auto Plus
Robert is an experienced journalist who has been covering the automobile industry for over a decade. He has a deep understanding of the latest technologies and trends in the industry and is known for his thorough and in-depth reporting.