The European Parliament has agreed to adopt measures in a bid to reduce road transport emissions which could soon be rolled out in the UK.
On Wednesday, Members of the European Parliament accepted new EU rules aimed at slashing pollution from passenger cars, vans, buses, trucks and trailers.
A total of 297 MEPs voted in favour, while 190 voted against and 37 abstained from introducing Euro 7 emissions standards.
The move has been praised as it will allow vehicles to abide by the standards for a longer period of time and ensure they remain clean throughout their lifetime.
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The new rules are now set to be rolled out at the end of the decade
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The current Euro 6 test conditions, which are used to limit entry of more polluting vehicles into Clean Air zones, and exhaust emissions limits will be retained.
For the first time, EU standards will include brake particle emissions limits (PM10) for cars and vans, in addition to minimum performance requirements for battery durability in hybrids and EVs.
However, the new rules have been described as being watered down compared to the original plans.
The European Commission originally proposed tougher limits to be introduced from 2025 for cars and mid-2027 for trucks and buses.
Pending formal approval from EU nations, the new Euro 7 guidance is expected to be rolled out from July 2030 for cars and vans and 12 months later for buses and trucks, Reuters reported.
Alexandr Vondra, MEP for the European Conservatives and Reformists Group, hailed the passing of the new Euro 7 emissions, hinting that it would form part of a larger plan to reform motoring on the continent.
The Czech MEP continued, saying: “We have successfully struck a balance between environmental goals and the vital interests of manufacturers.
“We want to ensure the affordability of new smaller cars with internal combustion engines for domestic customers and at the same time enable the automotive industry to prepare for the expected transformation of the sector.
“The EU will now also be addressing emissions from brakes and tyres and ensuring higher battery durability.”
Many experts have suggested that the UK will also adopt the new Euro 7 measures once they are formally accepted, despite leaving the European Union.
It is likely that manufacturers in the UK will retain the emissions ratings to standardise the industry and make importing and exporting easier without needing to produce different vehicles.
Writing on X, formerly known as Twitter, Vondra called it a “big win” and said the availability of new, cheaper cars with internal combustion engines will be maintained in the coming years.
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Euro emissions standards are used for Clean Air Zones and the London Ulez
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He added: “We will return to a larger revision of the 2035 ban after the elections in a better European Parliament.”
Major European carmakers and countries such as France, Italy and the Czech Republic previously pushed for the Euro emissions standards to be watered down.
