EU Ministers are supporting revised Euro 7 proposals, which are less stringent than those first suggested.
Under the latest proposals, the emissions limits and test conditions for cars and vans will be carried over from Euro 6.
Earlier proposals saw the same limits carried over for only petrol cars, while diesels faces stricter targets. Following a pushback from eight EU countries – who stated the changes could affect investments in new zero-emission powertrain technologies – the revised proposals were backed by the EU Council.
Limits for heavy-duty vehicles will be lowered and test conditions slightly adjusted.
The proposal replaces and simplifies previously separate emission rules for cars and vans (Euro 6) and lorries and buses (Euro VI).
Limits for particulate emissions from brakes and tyres, which will also apply to electric vehicles, received unanimous support from the EU Council.
Ministers also supported new rules to regulate the durability of batteries installed in electrified cars and vans in order to increase confidence in electric vehicles. This will also reduce the need for replacing batteries early in the life of a vehicle.
Spain, which holds the rotating presidency of the European Union, was tasked with finding a compromise that the majority of member states could support.
Héctor Gómez Hernández, Spain’s acting minister for industry, trade and tourism, said: “Europe is known across the globe for producing low-emission and top-quality cars. We want to continue pursuing the goal of improving air quality. 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. 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 general approach agreed today formalises the Council’s negotiating position. It provides the Council presidency with a mandate for negotiations with the European Parliament, which will start as soon as the Parliament adopts its position.
