“I understand the Commission’s intention to improve air quality, but we need to be clear about the consequences. The proposed Euro 7 standards will harm consumers and producers alike. The impact is disproportionate”. With these words, Czech MEP Alexandr Vondra (ECR) launched the presentation of his draft report on Euro 7 standards (see EUROPE 13061/14) to the European Parliament’s Environment Committee on Tuesday 27 June.
Three issues guided the drafting of this text, according to Mr Vondra: “responding to the risks of diverting resources to decarbonisation”, “concerns about technological feasibility” and the “huge costs involved”, which could deter “people from buying new cars” and “hit those on middle and low incomes”.
The ECR MEP proposed a revision of the timetable, arguing that the automotive industry would need sufficient time to adapt and develop suitable processes. “The Commission’s proposal for light vehicles by 2025 seems totally unrealistic. The cumulative effects of secondary legislation go a long way, and this lack of clarity is a major concern”, said Mr Vondra. He added that the test conditions, in real-life conditions, were another important aspect, inviting us to “find a balance” on this point. The rapporteur also called for “attention to be paid to the varying situations of countries within the EU”.
Faced with the demands of the proposal concerning the durability of batteries, Mr Vondra said he was “quite in favour” of the idea, but qualified his remarks: “It’s essential to have enough time to find technological solutions”.
This proposal for a report was warmly welcomed by the EPP. The shadow rapporteur, Jens Gieseke (German), corroborated Mr Vondra’s comments: “The continued use of combustion engines after 2025 must be permitted with appropriate fuels”, justifying a compromise in favour of “the climate, clean air and industry”.
While Spanish Renew Europe MEP Susana Solís Pérez called for an “ambitious” approach, she also pointed out that there needed to be “sufficient time for the industry to adapt 2 years after the legislation is presented”. The S&D co-rapporteur, Christel Schaldemose (Danish), was critical of a draft report that “downgraded the Commission’s proposal”, saying she was “disappointed, but not surprised”, while her Greens/EFA counterpart, Bas Eickhout (Dutch), criticised a lack of coherence. “If we increase our level of ambition, then yes, it may take longer, but we can’t lower the level of ambition and give more time at the same time”, he said.
Amendments can be tabled until 29 June, and the ENVI Committee is expected to vote on them in September.
Read the report: https://aeur.eu/f/7s0 (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)