Future emissions limits for road transport have today (December 19) been provisionally agreed by the European Council and the European Parliament.
ESTA has yet to study the agreement in detail, but reports from Brussels suggest that the terms are less stringent than had been feared by the vehicle manufacturers and the road transport sector.
Known as Euro 7, the new regulation sets tighter rules for vehicle emissions and aims to further lower air pollutant emissions from road transport. For the first time it covers cars, vans, and heavy-duty vehicles in one single legal act.
The provisional agreement will retain the Euro 6 emissions limits for cars and vans but reduce the limits for trucks and buses. It also covers other types of emissions such as tyre abrasion and brake particle emissions and sets limits for battery durability.
In the case of heavy-duty buses and trucks, the deal establishes more stringent limits for pollutants that were not previously covered, such as nitrous oxide (N2O).
ESTA Director Ton Klijn said: “This is a major and important announcement and ESTA will be studying the details carefully to ensure that we understand the implications for our members and the wider heavy transport industry across Europe.”
The provisional agreement now needs to be endorsed and formally adopted by both the European Council and the European Parliament.
Assuming that it is adopted as it stands, the deal foresees different dates of application after the regulation enters into force:
- 30 months for new types of cars and vans, and 42 months for new vehicles
- 48 months for new types of buses, trucks and trailers, and 60 months for new vehicles
- 30 months for new systems, components, or separate technical units to be fitted in cars and vans, and 48 months for those to be fitted in buses, trucks, and trailers.
The official announcement can be seen here –
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/12/18/euro-7-council-and-parliament-strike-provisional-deal-on-emissions-limits-for-road-vehicles/?utm_source=dsms-auto&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Euro+7%3a+Council+and+Parliament+strike+provisional+deal+on+emissions+limits+for+road+vehicles