After a recent proposal to relax the strict Euro 7 norms proposed by Spain, the European Union agreed to accept the proposal. As the main reason, the members stated that strict regulations create enormous pressure on manufacturers to fulfill these regulations, which would make cars even more expensive, and deter manufacturers from investing in electric vehicles.

EU members have agreed not to change the existing Euro 6 standards for cars and vans, which will not apply to buses and heavy vehicles. They also accepted new limits on particulate emissions for brakes and tires, which will be further discussed.

Manufacturers also pointed out that measurements of microplastic particles obtained by braking and rolling tires would be too expensive and the environmental benefits negligible.

“We believe that with this proposal we have achieved broad support and a balance in the investment costs of producers while improving the environmental conditions resulting from these regulations,” said Hector Gomez Hernandez, Spain’s Acting Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism.

The Spanish proposal was supported by eight members, including France and Italy. Italian Industry Minister Adolfo Urso welcomed the agreement saying: “The new regulation, at Italy’s request, also allows for the protection of the supply chain of the automotive industry of small manufacturers, the high range typical of Italian production such as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati – symbols of ‘Made in Italy’ ” and which produce about 50,000 cars a year.”

Source: Reuters

Strict EU regulations on CO2 emissions are forcing automakers to accelerate the transition to fully electric cars, putting enormous pressure on companies and giving foreign manufacturers a chance to enter the European market. France was the first to begin introducing certain changes to help its manufacturers be more competitive in the market, by removing subsidies on the purchase of new Chinese electric cars. Now, under pressure from several member states, the EU is considering easing Euro 7 norms.

Spain is the initiator of this proposal, which softens a version of the European Commission’s initial proposal to tighten emission limits for non-CO2 pollutants such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides. That is, in addition to the measurement of CO2 particles, the Euro 7 standard should also include pollution that forms microplastic particles that are released by braking, rolling, and degradation of tires.

Is the Euro 7 plan failing? Eight EU countries, including France and Italy, have opposed the strict rules, arguing that carmakers are already under enormous pressure to meet a planned ban on sales of new cars with internal combustion engines by 2035 to reduce greenhouse gases. As the main reason for the opposition, manufacturers state that the transition to Euro 7 is too expensive and that the environmental benefits would be negligible.

“Euro 7 will deter the automotive industry from full electrification and force carmakers to continue investing in internal combustion engines that have no future,” said Renault CEO Luca de Meo.

Source: Reuters