The new Euro norm is expected to be on the roads in 2025 and could thus ban many existing burners from European roads
The European Union's ambitious Green Deal also has an impact on the automotive industry. In 2025, the Euro7 emission standard is to be introduced, which will drastically reduce the permitted emission values. A new vehicle may then only emit 30 mg/km of nitrogen oxide. In an even stricter scenario, the limit value is even only 10 mg/km. The limit values have so far been about twice as high, i.e. 60 mg for petrol cars and 80 mg for diesel cars for nitrogen oxide. Carbon monoxide is also to be significantly reduced: from up to 1000 mg to 300 and 100 mg respectively.
In addition, the so-called Real Drive Emission (RDE) test also measures measurements where these emissions must be complied with, even at full throttle and under a wide range of temperature and altitude conditions. Even the most varied loads, such as roof boxes and bicycle racks, should not bring emissions above the permitted maximum. A car would also have to be able to comply with the limit values over a lifetime of 15 years or for up to 240,000 km.
These utopian sounding regulations must now be implemented by the automotive industry. The automotive industry must therefore develop newer technologies and invest considerably more money to ensure that new vehicles comply with the directives. The additional costs will certainly be passed on to customers. The new requirements could lead to the industry's previous focus on switching back to hybrid and electric vehicles, which is counterproductive both for the environment and for the industry's competition in international comparison. And even if the new Euro standard does not automatically ban Euro 5 and Euro 6 vehicles from the roads, the rules for low emission zones could be tightened much faster.
So the EU's decision on the new emissions standard seems well-intentioned, but without a hand and foot and could harm industry, consumers and even the environment. We will of course be happy to tell you how it will affect the rules on low emission zones in the coming years.