2024-03-22 07:30:31
On March 13, MEPs validated new EU rules aimed at reducing emissions from cars, vans, buses, trucks and trailers. Watered down compared to the Commission’s initial proposal, it ultimately presents few new standards.
After several months of bitter discussions, the European Parliament adopted the agreement reached with the Council on the Euro 7 regulation proposal. This Commission proposal from November 2022 aims to strengthen air pollutant emissions standards for combustion engine vehicles, regardless of the fuel used. Current emissions caps apply to cars and vans (Euro 6) and buses, trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles (Euro VI).
But ultimately the voted text retains few normative developments and the rules adopted are less ambitious than those initially proposed by the European Commission. For cars and vans, negotiators finally agreed to maintain the current testing conditions and emissions caps of the Euro 6 standard. At the request of Parliament, the EU standards will, however, include caps of particulate emissions from tire and brake abrasion (PM10) for cars and vans. The limits for brake particles thus amount to 3 mg/km for fully electric vehicles, 7 mg/km for most internal combustion engines, for electric and fuel cell hybrid vehicles and 11 mg/km for larger pickup trucks with internal combustion engines.
The industry reassured
The automobile industry had opposed a tightening of pollution standards on exhaust gases in order to save additional costs, while it is already faced with investments in electric vehicles. Manufacturers had warned of the impact of overly strict standards on employment as well as on the price of cars, already less and less accessible for the middle class. As a reminder, the European Union has announced the end of sales of new gasoline and diesel cars from 2035, in favor of electric vehicles.
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) believes that Euro 7 is already a challenge as it stands. “ Truck and bus manufacturers will face much stricter rules as they already face challenges in meeting 2030 decarbonization targets,” judge Sigrid de Vries, Director General of ACEA, in a statement.
The association which represents the 15 major European manufacturers of cars, vans, trucks and buses in Europe further believes that “ policymakers must do more to replace older, more polluting vehicles on the roads with new models equipped with the most advanced emissions technology ».
However, the observation is more bitter on the side of the NGO Transport & Environment (T&E). “Unfortunately, we expect that the benefits [environnementaux] are very limited, or even non-existent”confided to Euractive Anna Krajinska, Head of Vehicle Emissions and Air Quality at T&E. “Most of the pollution reduction will come from non-tailpipe emissions […] but the profits are really not enough to compensate for the weakness of the rest of the file. »
New requirements on batteries, NOx for buses and trucks
The voted text also proposes minimum performance requirements in terms of battery durability for electric and hybrid cars: 80% up to five years or 100,000 km, 72% up to eight years or 160,000 km. The text provides a similar requirement for vans: 75% up to five years or 100,000 km and 67% up to eight years or 160,000 km.
For buses and trucks, the text of the agreement provides for stricter caps for exhaust gas emissions measured in laboratories (e.g. NOx limit of 200 mg/kWh) and in real driving conditions ( NOx limit of 260 mg/kWh), while maintaining current Euro VI test conditions. These rules are less strict than those initially proposed by the Commission.
A new environmental passport
Another novelty is the creation of an environmental passport for each vehicle. “ It will contain information on the environmental performance of the vehicle at the time of its registration (such as pollutant emission limits, CO emissions2fuel and electrical energy consumption, electric range, battery durability) », specifies the European Parliament. Users will also be able to have up-to-date information on fuel consumption, battery status, pollutant emissions and other relevant information generated by on-board systems and monitors.
« We have managed to find a balance between environmental objectives and the vital interests of manufacturersestimates Czech rapporteur Alexandr Vondra, leader of the group of European Conservatives and Reformists (CRE). We want new small internal combustion cars to be affordable for our consumers and, at the same time, enable the automotive industry to prepare for the expected transformation of the sector. » Only one final step remains before the agreement comes into force: for the Council to formally approve it.
The regulation will apply 30 months after its entry into force for cars and vans and 48 months after its entry into force for buses, trucks and trailers. For vehicles built by small manufacturers, it will apply from 1is July 2030 for cars and vans and from 1is July 2031 for buses and trucks.
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