Volkswagen has requested that the application of the new Euro 7 emission regulations be postponed until at least fall 2026, just over a year behind schedule. According to the German company, this schedule would be more realistic than the current one and would allow it to comply with the new environmental regulation as long as the law entered into force in mid-2024.
This would give manufacturers a margin of two years to develop vehicles adapted to the standard, as well as three years to apply the necessary changes to the rest of their fleet (it is contemplated one year margin between the entry into force of Euro 7 and the obligation that all vehicles for sale in the market comply with it).
According to most brands, the objectives pursued by the authorities will mean a significant additional cost in the price of cars; besides, they also accuse the European Commission of giving unrealistic deadlines. Legislators and Member States will negotiate this year the different proposals on the table.
Carlos TavaresCEO of the Stellantis group, has declared his opposition to Euro 7 on several occasions, considering it counterproductive, since it will force European manufacturers to invest in a technology (the internal combustion engine) that will be effectively banned in 2035, diverting part of its electrification resources.
The Volkswagen Polo’s days are numbered
I don’t think Europe needs [la normativa] Euro 7. It’s going to divert some of our R&D power to something we don’t need., while our Chinese competitors enter the market only with battery electric cars. Why are we using our resources for a technology we want to ban? It’s not common sense.”
Volkswagen claims that if the new legislation came into force in July 2025, it would be forced to halt production of many of its models for several months. Some like the Polo would even leave the market permanentlysince the high cost of the adaptations would make it unfeasible to market small vehicles profitably.
In parallel, the company also requests that the limits on the emission of braking particles and tire wear be delayed, although in this case it does not give a specific date. “It takes several years”has ruled in an official statement, in which it is explained that a greater margin is necessary so that tire suppliers can adapt to the new requirements.
Source | Automotive News Europe
