With 297 votes in favour, 190 against and 37 abstentions, the European Parliament has endorsed comprehensive measures aimed at curbing emissions from road transport. The Euro 7 regulation (type-approval and market surveillance of motor vehicles,) designed to enhance air quality and mitigate environmental impact, introduces stringent standards affecting various vehicle types.

Reducing emissions, increasing battery durability

For passenger cars and vans, the current Euro 6 test conditions and exhaust emissions limits will be maintained. For buses and trucks, stricter limits will be applied for exhaust emissions measured in laboratories and in real driving conditions, while maintaining the current Euro VI testing conditions.

For the first time, EU standards will include brake particles emissions limits (PM10) for cars and vans and minimum performance requirements for battery durability in electric and hybrid cars.

Key highlights:

1. Extended cleanliness: Vehicles will now be required to meet higher emission standards for an extended period, ensuring they remain environmentally friendly throughout their lifespan.

2. Stricter limits: The regulation imposes lower exhaust emission limits for buses and trucks, both in laboratory settings and real-world driving conditions, while maintaining rigorous testing standards for passenger cars and vans.

3. Addressing additional sources: For the first time, the EU sets limits on particle emissions from brakes and tires (PM10) for cars and vans. Moreover, minimum performance requirements for battery durability in electric and hybrid vehicles are established.

4. Environmental vehicle passport: Each vehicle will come with an Environmental Vehicle Passport, providing vital information on its environmental performance at the point of registration. This includes data on pollutant emission limits, CO2 emissions, fuel and electric energy consumption, electric range, and battery durability.

5. Consumer empowerment vehicle: Users will have access to up-to-date information on fuel consumption, battery health, pollutant emissions, and other relevant metrics through on-board systems and monitors.

Rapporteur Alexandr Vondra emphasized the delicate balance struck between environmental objectives and the automotive industry's interests. The regulations aim to ensure affordability of smaller internal combustion engine cars for domestic consumers while preparing the industry for forthcoming transformations.

Next steps

Formal approval from the Council is required for the agreement to come into force, marking another crucial step towards implementing these impactful regulations.

Background

The proposal builds upon the Commission's initiative in November 2022, aiming for more stringent air pollutant emission standards for combustion-engine vehicles, irrespective of the fuel used. The move aligns with citizens' expectations to promote electric vehicle adoption, advance digital and electrical infrastructure, and reduce the EU's energy dependency.

The Euro 7 regulations mark a significant stride towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for European road transport, reflecting the EU's commitment to environmental stewardship and technological advancement.