Autopromotec Dialogues: “ELV Revolution: when the end becomes a new beginning”

The first event in the Autopromotec Dialogues series took place today in Milan, at the prestigious headquarters of the Automobile Club Milano. This series of press briefings accompanies the run-up to the 31st edition of Autopromotec, the biennial international trade fair for automotive equipment and the aftermarket, scheduled to take place at the BolognaFiere exhibition centre from 26 to 29 May 2027.

The event, entitled “ELV Revolution: when the end becomes a new beginning”, sparked a discussion on one of the most strategic issues today for the future of the automotive and aftermarket sectors: the evolution of the management of end-of-life vehicles in the light of the green transition, the circular economy and the new European regulatory framework.

Pietro Meda, President of Automobile Club Milano, opened the proceedings by welcoming the participants. The morning session was introduced and chaired by Roberto Sposini, journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Lifegate, who framed the issue of end-of-life vehicles as an increasingly central aspect of the sector’s industrial transformation.

The meeting focused on the new European regulation on vehicle circularity and the management of End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs), which is set to fundamentally redefine the entire life cycle of the car: from design to production, from use to dismantling, right through to the recovery of materials, components and industrial value.

The new European regulation on vehicle circularity and the management of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs) was finally approved by the European Parliament on Thursday 18 June. The measure must now be formally adopted by the Council of the European Union. It will come into force 24 months after its entry into effect.

For further information, please see the following link:
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/press-room/20260611IPR45210/new-rules-for-a-more-sustainable-eu-automotive-sector

The new European regulatory framework aims to move beyond viewing end-of-life vehicles simply as waste, recognising them instead as a resource to be reintegrated into the production cycle. Among the most significant points that emerged during the discussion, the regulation strengthens ecodesign criteria, promoting vehicles that are easier to dismantle, repair, reuse and recycle, accompanied by clearer guidelines for the removal and replacement of components.

During the debate, it became abundantly clear that this transformation concerns not only environmental sustainability, but also Europe’s industrial competitiveness and strategic control over resources. Steel, aluminium, copper, plastic and components that can still be reused are, in fact, becoming part of a new value chain in which a vehicle’s end-of-life plays an increasingly decisive role.

Lorella Volpato, Vice-President of ADA – the Association of Automotive Dismantlers – and owner and CEO of Autodemolizioni Volpato, emphasised the growing role of industry operators within the new industrial ecosystem. During her speech, she noted that, according to the latest ISPRA reports cited in the debate, the sector is already capable of exceeding the target of 85 per cent reuse and recycling calculated on the weight of vehicles processed, confirming that the sector comprises companies that are increasingly well-equipped in terms of industrial capacity, technology and traceability.“The end of a vehicle’s life is not the final stage of the supply chain: it is the point from which value begins anew.”

Luca De Vita, Institutional Relations and Technical and Regulatory Affairs at ANFIA – the National Association of the Automotive Industry Supply Chain, drew attention to the implications of the new regulations for manufacturers. The regulation introduces a phased approach to the content of recycled plastic in vehicles – 15% within 6 years and 25% within 10 years – with at least 20% coming from closed-loop recycling of end-of-life vehicles, whilst also confirming the thresholds of 85% for recyclability/reusability and 95% for recoverability/reusability, though updating the calculation methods and also affecting the management of multi-stage vehicles. “Circularity isn’t something added to the car afterwards: it must be designed into the car from the very beginning.”

On the industrial front, Manuela Crippa, Head of Circular Economy Global Commercial and Marketing Development at Stellantis-SUSTAINera, highlighted the strategic value of recovery throughout the vehicle’s entire life cycle. The company’s commitment is put into practice by designing cars with a circular approach from the outset, through ‘Design for Circular Economy’ processes that facilitate the recovery of materials and components at the end of their life, intended either for recycling — including for reintroduction into the production of new components and vehicles, thus creating a fully closed loop — or for reuse as used original spare parts. In a country where the average age of the vehicle fleet is around 12–13 years, used spare parts represent a practical solution for customers, offering savings of up to 70% compared to new parts, whilst combining environmental sustainability with affordability. ‘The end of a vehicle’s life does not mark the end of its value: it is the beginning of a new cycle.’

The perspective on the market and the evolution of demand, presented by GiPA Italia, represented by Rosaria Amodio, Business Development Manager, and Romain Gougeon, Country Manager for Italy, highlighted how the transition to the circular economy involves not only industry and regulation, but also repairers and motorists. During the presentation, it was noted that GiPA operates its monitoring networks in over 30 countries and that, according to data collected in France – a pioneer in this transition – 81% of repairers there state that they are familiar with the concept of spare parts sourced from the circular economy, 78% say they are aware of the regulations, 96% consider these solutions a viable alternative when new parts are unavailable, 88% see them as a competitive advantage, and 85% of motorists react positively to being offered a part from the circular economy. “The circular transition really works when it builds trust: among repairers, motorists and the market.”

Daniele Bresolin, Managing Director and Founding Partner of Bresolin Spa, emphasises that “to transform scrap into a resource, strict rules and digital, controlled processes are needed”. Technology now allows us to track the vehicle from acquisition through the various safety procedures – such as the removal of hazardous fluids – right through to document management, eliminating administrative risks and ensuring full compliance with current regulations. The circular economy cannot be achieved through good will alone; today, it is built on data and a very clear vision of regulatory compliance.

The session was brought to a close by Enrica Lazzarini, Chief Executive of Autopromotec, who highlighted the value of the initiative launched with the Autopromotec Dialogues – an evolution of last year’s Talks – as a forum for discussion on the issues set to redefine the sector’s future, from industrial transition to sustainability, right through to the new dynamics of the automotive supply chain and the aftermarket.

With this first event, the Autopromotec Dialogues have established themselves as a forum dedicated to the major changes taking place in the sector, focusing on a conviction shared by the key participants: in the new European landscape, the end of a vehicle’s life is no longer the conclusion of a process, but the beginning of a new value chain