European Union countries have watered down a proposal from the bloc’s executive arm aimed at reducing polluting emissions from vehicles.
The European Commission last year proposed updated pollution rules for new combustion engine vehicles that are expected to remain on European roads long after the 27-nation bloc bans their sale in 2035, with the aim of reducing emissions. exhaust pipes, brakes and tires.
The Commission expected that the new guidelines would help reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from cars and vans by 35% compared to existing exhaust gas emissions regulations for pollutants other than carbon dioxide, and by 56% of buses and trucks.
But several member states and carmakers pushed for a weaker law, agreeing on Monday to a watered-down compromise put forward by Spain’s rotating EU presidency.
Instead, Member States decided to maintain existing emissions limits and testing conditions for cars and vans, and reduce them only for buses and heavy commercial vehicles. They also agreed to reduce limits on brake particulate emissions and tire abrasion rate emissions.
Last year, EU lawmakers and member states reached a deal to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2035. The deal was part of the bloc’s “Fit for 55” package, which the Commission European Union created to achieve the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55% during this decade.
Under the agreement, manufacturers will have to reduce emissions from new cars sold by 55% by 2030, compared to 2021, before reaching a 100% reduction five years later.
