European governments agree to relax Euro7 regulations for car emissions
The governments of the 27 have agreed this Monday in Brussels to try to soften the conditions and the entry into force of what is known as “Euro 7” regulations to reduce polluting emissions from cars, vans and trucks. “The automobile industry is facing unprecedented challenges related to the consequences of the war in Ukraine, limited access to raw materials and the significant increase in energy prices,” explained the Minister of Industry, Héctor Gómez. , who was in charge of directing the session when Spain held the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU. “Taking these factors into account, it has been particularly important to find a middle ground between the need to improve air quality and protect human health, on the one hand, and ensuring that the European automobile industry remains competitive on the global stage, on the other,” explained Gómez.
Today's guidance from ministers does not prejudge the final result, because the process is still underway. The details being discussed are essentially technical. But the background couldn't be more political.. In the EU the process is not like in a country. The European Commission, which has the legislative initiative, is the one that makes the proposals for directives, and the one that presented its ideas in November to update the Euro 6 regulation and move to Euro 7. From that moment on, two procedures began in parallel.. On the one hand, the Council, that is, the ministers of the 27 countries, began to debate among themselves to establish their own position. On the other hand, MEPs do the same. Today, the ministers of the sector have agreed on a line, which advocates delaying the entry into force of these regulations from 2025, which was originally on the table, to 2027 in the case of cars, and to 2029 for trucks.. And when the European Parliament closes its own position, the so-called 'trilogues' will begin, the final negotiation to give the green light.
In general terms, the 27 maintain the guidelines proposed by the European Commission. And furthermore, the objectives that were agreed at the time for the gradual reduction of emissions and the definitive ban on the sale of combustion vehicles in 2035 are maintained.. What is being fought over, between industry and NGO pressures, is the path, certain thresholds, dates and issues such as new particle limits for brakes and tires to mitigate CO2 emissions from vehicles and the release of polluting particles, something that will continue to be essential beyond 2035.
The initial proposal presented by the European Commission was strongly opposed by a block of eight countries (France, Italy, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia), which, in response to the requests, demands or complaints of the Industry and its powerful lobby denounced that the additional costs of this regulation would be very harmful. Especially since the transition to meet the ultimate goal within 12 years was already complicated. So these countries advocate not putting additional obstacles that could distract from the most important goal..
The proposed Regulation for the approval of motor vehicles and engines, and of systems, components and independent technical units intended for such vehicles, covers passenger cars, vans and heavy vehicles for the first time in a single legal act. The overall approach of ministers' agreement maintains existing emissions limits and testing conditions for light vehicles. In the case of heavy vehicles, the emission limits are lower and the test conditions are slightly adapted compared to the Commission proposal.
The Council suggests a series of “pragmatic changes”. Thus, it maintains “the existing testing conditions and emissions limits” according to what was already established by Euro 6, for private cars and vans.. For M2 and M3 vehicles (buses and coaches), and N2 and N3 vehicles (heavy commercial vehicles), the emission limits would be somewhat lower and the test conditions would be “slightly adjusted, compared to Euro 6/VI”, says what was agreed. “It also sets clear deadlines for the adoption of implementing acts (by the Commission) in order to provide economic operators with clarity and legal certainty,” say the ministers.
According to the Spanish presidency, in the words of Héctor Gómez, the agreed text enjoys a “carefully balanced commitment” between protection of the environment and health and industrial competitiveness. The next phase will be in a few weeks or months, no longer under the Spanish presidency, with the hope of reaching an agreement before the end of the European legislature in the spring, just before the June 2024 elections..