They were approved by European Parliament new rules to reduce emissions from passenger cars, vans, buses, trucks and trailers.
By 297 votes in favour, 190 against and 37 abstentions, Parliament approved the agreement reached with the Council on the Euro 7 Regulation (homologation and market surveillance of motor vehicles).
Vehicles will have to comply with the new standards for longer, ensuring they remain cleaner throughout their life cycle.
Reducing emissions, increasing battery life
For passenger cars and semi-trucks, the current Euro 6 emission conditions and limits will be maintained. Buses and trucks will be subject to stricter limits on exhaust emissions measured in laboratories and in real driving conditions, while maintaining current Euro VI test conditions.
For the first time, EU standards will include limits on particulate matter (PM10) emissions from car and van brakes and minimum performance requirements for battery life in electric and hybrid cars.
Better consumer information
An environmental “vehicle passport” will be available for each vehicle and will contain information about its environmental performance at the time of registration, such as emission limits, CO2 emissions, fuel and electricity consumption, electric range and battery life. Vehicle users will also have access to up-to-date information on fuel consumption, battery, emissions and other relevant information generated by the systems and displays.
Rapporteur Alexandr Vondra (Conservatives, Czech Republic) said: “We have managed to strike a balance between environmental objectives and the vital interests of manufacturers. We want to ensure that new, smaller cars with internal combustion engines remain affordable and, at the same time, enable the automotive industry to prepare for the expected transformation of the sector. The EU will also combat emissions from brakes and tires and ensure longer battery life.”
The Council must formally approve the agreement before it enters into force.
On 10 November 2022, the Commission proposed stricter air pollutant emissions standards for vehicles with combustion engines, regardless of the fuel used. Current emission limits apply to cars and trucks (Euro 6) and to buses, trucks and other heavy commercial vehicles (Euro VI).