Photo cars and trucks
(BRUSSELS) – EU states adopted their position Monday on a proposed ‘Euro 7 type-approval regulation for motor vehicles and engines, which sets limits for non-exhaust emissions such as particles from brakes and tyres.
The Euro 7 type-approval sets standards for systems, and components and separate technical units intended for such vehicles with respect to their emissions and battery durability.
The new regulation, which for the first time covers cars, vans and heavy-duty vehicles in a single legal act, aims to set more adequate rules for vehicle emissions and to further lower air pollutant emissions from road transport.
“Our position is to continue the path of leading the mobility of the future and adopting realistic emissions levels for the vehicles of the next decade while helping our industry make the definitive leap towards clean cars in 2035,” said Spanish industry minister Hector Gpmez Hernandez, for the EU presidency: “The Spanish presidency has been sensitive to the different demands and requests of the member states and we believe that, with this proposal, we achieved broad support, a balance in the investment costs of the manufacturing brands and we improve the environmental benefits derived from the regulation.”
The Council says its position strikes a balance between stringent requirements for vehicle emissions and additional investments for the industry, at a moment when European car manufacturers are undergoing a transformation towards the production of zero-emission cars. The general approach keeps the existing emission limits and test conditions for light-duty vehicles. In the case of heavy-duty vehicles, emission limits are lower and test conditions slightly adjusted. Euro 7 also contains a special provision on urban buses to ensure coherence with the newly proposed 2030 zero-emissions target for these vehicles. Euro 7 sets limits for non-exhaust emissions such as particles from brakes and tyres. It additionally covers minimum performance requirements for battery durability in electric cars, and imposes stricter vehicle lifetime requirements. The regulation also provides for the use of advanced technologies and emission-monitoring tools.
The Council suggests a number of pragmatic changes to the Commission proposal while also keeping in mind environmental and health objectives, including:
- the Council position keeps existing test conditions and emissions limits (as established in Euro 6) for M1 and N1 vehicles (private passenger cars and vans)
- in the case of M2 and M3 vehicles (buses and coaches), and N2 and N3 vehicles (heavy commercial vehicles), emission limits are lower and test conditions slightly adjusted, in comparison with Euro 6/VI
- the Council text strengthens the alignment of brake particle emission limits and tyre abrasion rate limits with international standards adopted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe
- it takes into account the newly proposed 2030 zero-CO2 emissions target for urban buses
- 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
The general approach provides the Council presidency with a mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament, which will start as soon as the Parliament adopts its own position.
