European Parliament supports new Euro 7 emissions standards

The European Parliament is ready to begin negotiations with EU governments on new rules to reduce road transport emissions for passenger cars, vans, buses, and trucks. 

The Parliament on November 9, 2023, adopted its negotiating position on revamping EU rules for type-approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles (Euro 7) with 329 votes in favor, 230 against, and 41 abstentions. 

The new regulation will update current limits for exhaust emissions, such as nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and ammonia, and will introduce new measures to reduce emissions from tires and brakes, and increase battery durability. 

The regulation will also propose stricter limits on exhaust emissions measured in laboratory and in real driving conditions for buses and heavy-duty vehicles. Parliament also wants to align the EU’s calculation methodologies and limits for brake particle emissions and tire abrasion rates with international standards currently being developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.

The European Parliament’s new Euro 7 emissions standards will help reduce pollutant emissions from road vehicles, improve air quality, and promote cleaner road vehicles. The new regulation will lower emissions limits for buses and heavy-duty vehicles, reduce emissions from tires and brakes, and introduce measures to reduce emissions from exhaust. The European Parliament is ready to start talks with EU governments on the final form of the law.

Following the European Parliament’s decision on Euro 7 regulations, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has called for a balanced approach. The Parliament’s stance, while more pragmatic than the European Commission’s initial proposal, still presents significant challenges during a pivotal time for the automotive sector, ACEA said.

Sigrid de Vries, director general of ACEA, emphasised the substantial investments already made by vehicle manufacturers in decarbonisation. “Euro 7 arrives amidst a complex backdrop of high energy costs, supply chain disruptions, inflation, and subdued consumer demand,” de Vries said. “Europe requires a Euro 7 that harmonises environmental objectives with industrial competitiveness.”

The industry’s dedication to enhancing air quality is evident, as de Vries highlighted. Significant resources have been allocated to meet the latest Euro pollutant standards, Euro 6/VI, leading to a drastic reduction in exhaust emissions.

ACEA recognises the relevance of addressing brake and tyre emissions in Euro 7, especially for electric vehicles, as these will become major sources of road pollutant emissions. However, the association cautions that the testing methods for these non-exhaust emissions are novel and unproven, necessitating validation of their technical feasibility.

In the upcoming trilogue negotiations, ACEA urges policymakers to maintain a realistic perspective. An unbalanced Euro 7 could potentially hinder the advancements already achieved by manufacturers in reducing emissions, according to the trade group which represents the 14 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus makers: BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ferrari, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Iveco Group, JLR, Mercedes-Benz, Renault Group, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, and Volvo Group.