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The Member states’ governments within the Council adopted yesterday the general approach for       Euro 7. This forms the foundation for forthcoming negotiations with the European Parliament regarding the next phase of regulations on vehicle pollutant emissions.

Member states are lending their support to test conditions and limit values for cars, vans, and trucks that overall align more closely with the existing Euro 6/VI standards rather than the Commission’s proposed revisions, providing little, if any, contribution to improved air quality. The Council did not retain the new refuelling emissions requirements nor the reduced evaporative limits proposed by the Commission but did preserve the inclusion of limit values for tires and brakes.

Benjamin Krieger, the Secretary General of CLEPA, the association representing the European automotive supply industry, remarks, “Automotive suppliers support the advancement of Euro 7, with realistic testing conditions and limits. The Commission’s proposal could be effectively implemented with a few prudent safeguards. The required technology is available and economically viable. Regressing to Euro 6, as proposed by the Council, is not needed to maintain affordable mobility and will neither support implementing stricter air quality limits nor stimulate innovation in the EU. In the next decade, an estimated 100 million conventionally powered vehicles will be sold in the EU. This decision now determines whether the EU will have a role in shaping technology standards or leaves this prerogative to the United States and China.”

Bernard Lycke, Director General of CECRA representing cars, vans and truck dealers agents and repairers at European level, encourages the co-legislators to continue working on robust Euro 7 standards and their adoption before the upcoming EU elections in June 2024.

“This is crucial to enable a quick implementation of the new Euro 7 legislation. Indeed, millions of vehicles with internal combustion engines will continue to be sold, maintained and repaired  in the next years and these should contribute to air quality improvements.”

A decision regarding the European Parliament’s position is anticipated on 12 October. Following the adoption of positions by both institutions, the Parliament and the Council, negotiations in the trilogue phase will commence.