Euro 7: A New Step to Stop Car Emissions
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European manufacturers face heightened concerns as a new wave of regulations from Brussels adds to the industry’s mounting challenges. This sector, already grappling with the aftermath of stringent Euro standards, has endured a pandemic that slashed car sales in half and reshaped workplace dynamics. It has also been buffeted by the conflict in Ukraine, which has caused fuel prices to surge, further dampening automobile usage. Additionally, tensions in the Middle East loom, threatening to propel fuel prices even higher. Amidst these tribulations, the European Parliament has taken a mitigating stance, delaying the implementation of the new regulations by three to four years, offering a reprieve to an industry navigating a period of unprecedented adversity.
By Charles STRASS
Brussels, 9 November 2023 – 5 MINUTES READ
EU shifts gears with revolutionary Euro 7 Regulation for cleaner roads ahead. Today, in a landmark decision, EU legislators have adopted the new Euro 7 Regulation, a comprehensive update to the EU’s stance on vehicular emissions, integrating the previously standards for light and heavy-duty vehicles.
The Euro standards have been pivotal in reducing exhaust emissions since 1992, and the latest standard Euro 7, represents the zenith of these efforts. This groundbreaking regulation enforces stricter limits on exhaust pollutants, revamps testing parameters, and pioneers the inclusion of non-exhaust emissions such as those from brakes and tyres.
The European Parliament today voted on the new Euro 7 Regulation, easing some deadlines to give more breathing room to manufacturers. It is not excluded that the other European legislator, the EU Council, which represents national governments, may further relax some restrictive regulations and extend the deadlines to give European manufacturers time to adapt without having to invest heavily in a short period and at a time of deep crisis in the automotive sector. Now negotiations are open betwen the two european legislators. Follow the negotiations here
What does new Euro 7 require?
The journey to Euro 7 has been anything but smooth, challenged by the Commission’s own Regulatory Scrutiny Board (RSB) concerns over the proposal’s technical coherence. Despite the hurdles, the co-legislators have a monumental task at hand to fine-tune these rules into practical, proportionate measures.
The conversation around Euro 7 has brought several considerations to the forefront:
- Cost Implications: The new standards demand hefty investments from manufacturers, which might hike vehicle prices and lead to a ‘Havana effect’, where consumers delay new purchases or opt for second-hand vehicles. Disparities in cost estimates suggest that a more thorough assessment is needed to understand the financial impacts fully.
- Technological Feasibility: With the reliability of PEMS devices and the novelty of the required testing and emission control equipment, there’s a valid debate on whether the standards are technologically attainable.
- Resource Allocation: As the automotive industry hastens towards decarbonization, there’s concern that the Euro 7 proposal could divert focus and funds from developing CO2-neutral and zero-emission vehicles.
The draft committee report aims to iron out these wrinkles by:
- Providing sufficient lead times for the automotive sector to adapt.
- Minimizing dependence on secondary legislation for clarity and certainty.
- Ensuring Real Driving Emissions (RDE) test conditions are statistically relevant without overcomplicating compliance.
- Requiring On-Board Monitoring (OBM) that’s technologically and economically feasible.
- Adjusting standards for heavier vans and heavy-duty vehicles to be realistic and in line with global benchmarks.
- Setting technically achievable limits for brake wear and tyre abrasion emissions following comprehensive testing and assessment.
Euro 7 sets the stage for a greener, cleaner future, ensuring that as we advance towards a zero-emission horizon, our vehicles not only lead the way in innovation but also in environmental stewardship. It’s a vision for a sustainable transit system, where the air is as fresh as the ideas that drive us forward.
Learn more on EU Automotive Strategy…
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