In order to further reduce emissions in road traffic, the European Commission wants to implement stricter regulations on exhaust gas values with the help of the Euro 7 standard. But some member states objected.
It’s been over six months since the European Commission proposed tougher road traffic emissions limits – summarized in the Euro 7 standard; but only now have several European member states explicitly opposed it.
In this case, France and Italy lead a coalition of eight EU countries. In a joint position paper they sent to Brussels this week, they strongly opposed new emissions rules for cars and vans.
Their argument: The plan to tighten regulations hurts the auto industry, but above all anyone who wants to own a car. As a result, vehicles become more expensive. With this action, the chances of the Commission proposal finally being approved and the Euro 7 standard actually arriving are slim.
Auto industry resists stricter rules
In Germany, the auto industry was against it from the start. There were also rumors that the new rules would lead to significant increases in car prices, but the commission rejected that claim. While the car lobby says prices will rise by as much as several thousand euros per car due to Euro 7, the commission sees a maximum price increase of several hundred euros.
She also stressed that for the first time, the new standard will consider pollutants from brakes and tires, as well as the durability of electric vehicle batteries. The standard is therefore future-proof and an essential part of the European “Green Deal”, which will shift economies and societies towards climate neutrality in the coming decades.
German politicians from the CDU and FDP have already leveled sharp criticism of the plans. In any case, Jens Gieseke, an EU member of the CDU, is hardly impressed by what the commission intends to do. This is beyond reality: Europe’s pressure to invest further in phasing out combustion engine technology sends completely wrong signals and could overwhelm manufacturers. Liquidity must remain affordable.
Environmental Association not enough
On the other hand, the German environmental aid group, for example, has strongly criticized the Brussels plan – but on the other hand: the new exhaust regulations are too lenient. That means, they say, diesel engines in the EU are three times dirtier than those in California.
International group Transport and the Environment has complained that polluting vehicles still have a future in the EU – because implementing the commission’s proposals would mean decades and more polluting vehicles on EU roads.
The Green Party in the European Parliament has a similar view. Your deputy, Michael Bloss, said of the commission’s concessions to the auto lobby that the target limits were not strict enough.
Most still have a long way to go
So there are two more or less irreconcilable parties in this conflict: those who have had enough of the additional regulations in Brussels, especially on personal mobility in motor vehicles, and warn against overburdening the economy and the people People – and the other, who prioritize consistent environmental protection and want to further reduce environmental toxins in road traffic.
After all, the Euro 7 standard is not primarily about CO2 emissions, but also nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, both of which have been shown to be harmful to health. In between is the European Commission, which has opted to compromise on its proposals.
According to Thierry Breton, EU Industry Commissioner, different interests have been considered in order to further protect the environment through Euro 7. However, this is now more questionable after letters of protest from eight member states. Because it is difficult for most EU countries to introduce the Euro 7 standard. So, six months later, the committee’s proposal is still: a proposal, nothing more.