Eight countries push back against Euro 7 emissions regs
France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia all call for EU7 to be binnedEight European countries have pushed back against the new Euro 7 emission regulations proposed for 2026 seven months after the draft proposal was watered down to be little more than an evolution of the EU6.5 regulations.
According to Reuters, France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovakia have all signed and submitted a document to other European Union members calling for any emission restrictions stricter than the current legislation to be scrapped.
They said car manufacturers would have to invest millions, if not billions, in further development of emission-reducing combustion powertrain technologies – which would push up the price of new cars for consumers – rather than just getting on with developing zero-emission vehicles, which will effectively be mandated in Europe from 2035.
“We oppose any new exhaust emission rules (including new testing requirements or new emission limits) for cars and vans,” the countries said in the paper.
The European Commission countered the objections and argued the new restrictions are necessary to cut potentially dangerous emissions and prevent another Dieselgate scandal, which would require manufacturers to use on-board pollution-monitoring systems.
This would of course cost OEMs even more money beyond the development of further emission-reducing technologies – money many wouldn’t be willing to spend, with Skoda having previously said up to 3000 jobs would have to be cut if EU7 is approved and implemented.
Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares has been another vocal opponent to the legislation, describing the proposed restrictions as nonsensical, unhelpful and unbeneficial to the environment.
Earlier this year Germany was able to get carbon-neutral e-fuel powered vehicles an exception from the EU’s 2035 ban on the sale of new combustion cars, with a bit of help from Italy.
Both countries have legendary motoring heritages and industries, with some of the world’s most formidable supercars, sports cars and super sedans having emerged from the performance-mad nations.
Related: Stellantis boss blasts new Euro 7 regulations
Related: European emissions regulations watered down
Related: Europe to ban new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars from 2035
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