The automakers appear to have won the case. EU member countries on Monday ruled out further tightening of passenger car exhaust pollution rules, saying it risks slowing manufacturers’ investments in electric vehicles.
A position defended in particular by the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA) until recently on his Twitter account.
Germany’s opposition
Under the leadership of France and Italy, and despite opposition from Germany, the Twenty-seven voted in favor of a less ambitious regulation than the proposal formulated by the European Commission in November 2022, in order to preserve the competitiveness of the industry. automobile and its 14 million jobs in the EU.
This text on the Euro 7 standard must apply from 2025, replacing Euro 6, to all passenger vehicles and heavy goods vehicles, regardless of their type of engine. In the version adopted this Monday, this new Euro 7 standard takes the appearance of Euro 6, comments the site specialized in deciphering public policies Context.
This compromise position, defined under the leadership of Spain, which holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU until the end of the year, foresees keeping the emission limits and testing conditions for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles practically unchanged, with respect to to the previous standard.
However, it confirms a reduction in emissions thresholds for heavy vehicles, as well as the introduction of limits established for the first time in Europe on the emission of particles caused by brake and tire wear.
“We believe that with this proposal we have obtained broad support, a balance in the investment costs of manufacturing brands and that we are improving the environmental benefits derived from this regulation,” said the acting Spanish Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism. Héctor Gómez Hernández, cited by specialized media Automotive news in Europe.
France welcomed the Council’s position. “Since we decided together to abandon heat engines, it is not necessarily essential to add regulation” to these engines, explained the Minister of Industry, Roland Lescure.
A position that is also shared by Italy, the third country in number of automobile factories. according to the manufacturers association.
“We need to start this transition without imposing a disproportionate burden on companies. Otherwise, they would no longer be able to invest, which would take us away from our ecological goal,” said Italian Business Minister Adolfo Urso.
ACEA also approved this Council proposal. “The position of Member States represents an improvement on the European Commission’s Euro 7 proposal, which was completely disproportionate and generated high costs for industry and customers, with limited environmental benefits,” said ACEA Director General, Sigrid de Vries. according to a press release.
Upcoming negotiations in Parliament
Faced with massive investments to develop its new electric stoves in the face of formidable competition from Tesla and Chinese manufacturers, the European automobile industry wants to avoid additional investments in thermal engines that are doomed to disappear anyway.
Paris and Rome jointly signed a text in spring to oppose further tightening of exhaust gas pollution standards for cars and light trucks. This position was shared in particular by Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania and Slovakia, also signatories.
“The current project is considerably weakened compared to the initial proposal of the European Commission,” lamented German environmentalist State Secretary Sven Giegold, however, pointing out “unambitious test conditions and limit values that return almost to the level of the Euro standard 6”. .
Other countries were on the German line. “Thermal vehicles sold until 2035 will remain in circulation for a long time,” stressed the Irish minister delegate, Dara Calleary, considering that the text does not allow taking advantage of the possibilities of the available technologies.
“The European market risks falling behind China, the United States and Canada, where standards are higher,” he said.
However, this Monday’s vote is only a first step. However, the final text will still have to be negotiated with the European Parliament, which has not yet defined its position.
Source: BFM TV
