European carmakers are calling on legislators to vote for a sensible and proportionate Euro 7 regulation ahead of a decisive European Parliament vote next month.

The European Parliament’s environment committee adopted its position on the proposed Euro 7 regulation for the type-approval of motor vehicles and engines, with 52 votes in favour, 32 against, and one abstention on October 13.

The report - scheduled to be adopted during the November plenary sitting of the Parliament - will constitute Parliament’s negotiating position with EU governments on the final shape of the legislation.

“We have long been advocating for Euro 7 targets and testing conditions that do not make vehicles unaffordable nor jeopardise industry competitiveness – for little or no environmental benefit,” stated European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) director general Sigrid de Vries. “The Environment Committee vote is an improvement over the Commission proposal, but still falls short in key aspects.”

De Vries added: “We should not underestimate the huge progress made by European vehicle manufacturers in reducing pollutant emissions from road transport over the past years. It is simply incorrect to describe Euro 6/VI vehicles as ‘highly polluting’ as some stakeholders do. Euro 6/VI regulations have delivered and are continuing to do so.”

Indeed, between the first Euro standard and the first version of Euro 6, emissions were slashed by over 90%. Euro 7 will deliver marginal further benefits, but far greater air quality improvements would be achieved by replacing older vehicles on EU roads with highly efficient Euro 6/VI models, in parallel with the electrification transition.