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