The car industry is holding its breath as Brussels studies what the new emissions regulations will look like, the last to apply to thermal engines before their sale is banned in 2035. In the course of 2023, the new Euro 7 directive will be finalized, which will mean a significant reduction in emissions for all types of vehicles and stricter fines for brands that do not comply. Manufacturers have until 2025 to adapt to the new requirements.
The Euro 7 directive replaces the current Euro 6d, which was introduced in September 2015 and, like each iteration, is expected to be stricter than its predecessor. At the moment, the final figures are not yet known, as a resolution has not yet been approved in parliament, which is expected before the last quarter of this year.
The emission thresholds under consideration stem from a proposal presented by the Community Executive last November. In short, it hardens
nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions., 35% for cars and vans and 56% for buses and trucks. In addition, particles in the exhaust pipe are reduced by 13% for cars and 39% for industrial vehicles. Finally, it’s the first time it’s introducing a regulation for vehicle brake particles – these should be 27% lower compared to Euro 6 – something that will affect the number of electric vehicles, which have been considered impeccable until now by the administration.
Euro 7 was presented taking into account that in 2050 20% of the European passenger car and van fleet will continue to be powered by internal combustion engines, while in the case of buses and trucks this will be more than half.
At the moment, the next appointment is a meeting of the Environment Committee (ENVI) on 26 and 27 June in which the seven parliamentary groups of the European Parliament will participate, including Renew, led by the Spanish
Susana Solis (C’s). «Forcing a thorough review of internal combustion vehicles,
more outdated every year, makes no sense given that the NOx emission reduction projection is symbolic according to the Commission’s plan. So there will be a lot of work to do in the coming months,” Solís explained to ABC.
The gradual tightening of emissions in Europe is one of the pillars on which the Community’s decarbonisation strategy is based. It has set itself the goal of net zero CO2 emissions in the European Union by 2050 – so that the remaining thermal cars can still circulate.
But it is not only about greenhouse gases, but also about the gases that are locally harmful to human health: particulate matter and nitrogen oxides. According to calculations by the Continental Automobile Manufacturers Association, ACEA,
the introduction of stricter Euro standards ensures that the NOx level gradually decreases as the park is renovated. Less than a million tonnes of these gases were registered in the EU in 2022 and less than 400,000 tonnes in 2032, at which point only the Euro 5 and Euro 6 models in circulation will be responsible.
Such ambitious goals can only be achieved if several interrelated fronts are addressed. The park cannot be renewed with electric models if there is no demand, therefore incentives to purchase are needed and above all
that there is a charging network powerful enough to power more and more vehicles. According to the charging infrastructure regulation (AFIR), this should have 1 kW of capacity per electric car, something that ACEA considers insufficient, such as the number of points proposed by the Commission.
As every time stricter emissions regulations are proposed, the auto industry has positioned itself against it. His point of view is that it makes no sense to invest in the development of heat engines that are more respectful of the environment, if they will no longer be sold in ten years – the life cycle of a model. This, they claim, will only divert resources from the priority objective of developing zero-emission mobility.
According to ACEA calculations, the strictest version of Euro 7 proposed by the Commission will only deliver 4% NOx reduction in 2030 compared to Euro 6d.
It lowers the emission ceiling for all vehicles and tightens the fines for brands that do not comply. Another criticism of the November proposals is that vehicles must pass more varied tests.
of having to start at freezing temperatures or making long trips with a trailer below 40º. In addition, the cars will have to meet the 200,000 km and 10-year-old limits, double the current rate. The aim is for the conditions to more closely resemble the reality of driving in the European Union.
In Brussels, the approval of the Euro 7 standard is a sign of something political and one of the priorities of the current executive. For the European Council, this means doing the same in the ‘post-Dieselgate’ era and adapting regulations to their national characteristics.
The presidency of the Council falls to Sweden, but is relieved by Spain in June. Although the Scandinavian country is doing everything it can to get it approved under its legislature, everything seems to indicate that it will run out of time.
This is something that the government of
Pedro Sanchez months before the general election. However, this creates an additional complication: while Euro 7 is an inherent industry standard, this portfolio will be weakened in June by the departure of the holder,
maro kings, to become mayor of Madrid. As a result, the Ecological Transition will have more capacity to promote more restrictive measures on car emissions.
Each country’s positions are starting to take shape. The higher income earners that already have decent electricity penetration, such as the Netherlands, are arguing for a strict Euro 7. Instead, states with aging parks and the car industry,
such as Poland or the Czech Republic They are against the adoption of a new regulation. Europe’s two main car manufacturers, Germany and Spain, are silent because of the weight environmentalists have in their governments.
Source: La Verdad
I am Mary Fitzgerald, a professional journalist and author of the Today Times Live. My specialty is in writing and reporting on technology-related topics. I have spent the last seven years extensively researching and understanding the field of technology so I can properly inform my readers about developments in this ever-evolving world.
