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November 2022

Euro 7 car emissions, less stringent limits from 2026. Is the European Union changing its mind about cars with internal combustion engines?

Simonluca Pini - Sole 24 Ore Contributing Editor

The limits imposed by the new Euro 7 regulation would have put a strain on the production of new internal combustion engine vehicles. Rumours from Brussels suggest that the European Union is working towards equating Euro 7 limits with the current Euro 6 standard.  
The future for internal combustion engine cars could be longer than anticipated. Pending the ban on combustion engine cars in Europe from 2035, the difficulties linked to the Euro 7 emissions regulations, which are due to come into force from 2026 could soon be cancelled. The European Commission, in fact, will probably not proceed with Euro 7 legislation, which provides for a drastic reduction in the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by cars. According to a draft of the bill that will be presented on 9 November - as revealed by the Brussels based Politico.Eu, which also has offices in London, Berlin and Paris - it emerges that the intention is for the new regulation, which has been under examination for months by the European Commission, to set emission standards for cars and vans at levels comparable to those currently in force under the current Euro 6 standard.  
 
Crises and wars stop Euro 7 and save diesel and petrol cars  
 
According to Politico, after examining the current economic and geopolitical situation and the consequence of increases in costs of energy and raw materials, the Commission has decided to lower the standards.  
As indicated by media close to EU institutions, the current context puts the automotive supply chain under unprecedented pressure and generates accessibility problems for consumers. Faced with this situation, the Commission is apparently working to minimize the costs associated with the request to develop cleaner engines, also in view of the ban on internal combustion engines set for 2035. This will be a critical decision for the automotive industry, as it will mean exponentially smaller investments in vehicle production over the next thirteen years. It should be noted that the ban on combustion engines set for the middle of the next decade, within the Fit For 55 package, is still awaiting approval in Brussels.  
If the decision to equate Euro 7 regulations with those of Euro 6 is confirmed, it could open up new scenarios in Europe for cars with internal combustion engines, starting from car and component manufacturers up to private users.  
 





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