As defined by the new proposals for the Euro 7 standard, developed by the working group appointed by the European Union, for the moment we will not say goodbye to internal combustion engines. Agves (Advisory Group on Vehicle Emission Standards) has reviewed the recommendations and the new “technically achievable” NOx limits.
Tolerance was increased 10 to 30 milligrams per kilometer for nitrogen oxides. The Germans were the first to welcome these latest updates. Hildegard Müller, president of the VDA, says: “Plans for the new Euro 7 standard for passenger cars show that the European Commission has accepted the limits of what is technically feasible and has abandoned unattainable goals.”
The association representing the automotive industry in Germany was in fact very critical of the previous proposals, convinced that they would practically become a ban on the sale of vehicles with internal combustion engines.
Due to pressure from some governments, concerned about the auto sector, which is already experiencing a difficult time due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the proposals have been revisited. French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire said: “European environmental standards must remain a non-destructive incentive factor for our industry. Negotiations on Euro 7 are underway and let’s be clear: at this stage, this standard is not convenient for us. Some of the proposals circulating are excessive. Our builders will not be able to keep up ”.
Similar considerations also came from Germany, the German Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer, asked for strict standards but still technically reachable, in order not to “lose the European automotive industry”. It is right to be modern and innovative, and to have new strict rules, but within the limits of what is feasible. Carlos Tavares, current CEO of Stellantis, summarized in the best possible way: “At present, the Euro 7 standard goes beyond the simple rules of physics. So, it would simply be impossible to continue producing endothermic cars “.
And so the latest proposals seem to guarantee a future for traditional engines, Brussels has in fact increased the limit for nitrogen oxide emissions from 10 to 30 milligrams per kilometer. It should be remembered however that the new standards will be challenging to sustain, even more to achieve. Müller explained: “According to a first estimate, the new proposals for the reduction of polluting emissions are between five and ten times stricter than the Euro 6 standard. The goal is not to eliminate internal combustion engines, but you have to stay very careful “. The timeframe for the definition of the new Euro 6 replacement legislation is still long, probably the Euro 7 standards will not come into force before 2025, there are those who even dare to say 2027.
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