ECR Rapporteur Alexandr Vondra is satisfied after the vote in the Environment Committee on new rules to reduce exhaust and non-exhaust emissions from road vehicles: “We have managed to strike a balance between environmental objectives and the vital interests of manufacturers. It would be counterproductive to implement environmental policies that harm both European industry and its citizens. Our compromise serves the interests of all parties involved and avoids extreme positions.”

Vondra continued:

“We have stayed within the bounds of what is currently technologically feasible and have not given in to exaggerated environmentalist wishful thinking. I am very pleased about this. The compromise will not create impossible challenges for industry, nor will it place an excessive burden on consumers.

“Cars must not become more expensive. They are and will remain an important means of transport. Even stricter emission standards, as demanded by the Socialists and Greens, would have forced industry to invest huge sums in new internal combustion engines that will soon be phased out.

“In the current economic situation, it would be fatal to jeopardise even more jobs in the car industry, one of Europe’s core industries.”

The Euro 7 standard aims to reduce air pollutant emissions from road transport in general, in addition to new regulations on vehicle emissions. To this end, the new type approval of vehicles and engines will also cover components and autonomous technical units, such as tyre wear and battery life. In addition, emission targets for light and heavy duty vehicles will be included for the first time.

Following today’s vote in the Environment Committee, which passed with 52 votes in favour, 32 against and 1 abstention, the European Parliament plenary is expected to vote on the legislation in November.