Low environmental impact and costs from 4 to ten times higher. Acea, the European Association of Automobile Manufacturers, launches thewarning about the costs of the Euro 7 regulations, the new standard on polluting emissions from vehicles promoted by the European Union which should come into force from July 2025.
With the new regulations, cars could cost at least two thousand euros more, up to ten times more than the forecasts of the European Commission.
Up to 2,000 euros more for cars
To do the math a new study by Frontier Economics: the proposal on polluting emissions would lead to an increase in direct costs from 4 to 10 times higher than that quoted by the European Commission, bringing the additional expense per vehicle to Approximately 2,000 euros as regards cars and vans with internal combustion engines, ea almost 12,000 euros for diesel trucks and buses. These figures are 4 to 10 times higher than the Commission’s estimates of €180-450 for cars and vans and €2,800 for trucks and buses.
“These estimates – reads a note published on Acea’s official website – exclusively include direct production costs, mainly for equipment and investments. It is important to note that these additional costs are not the purchase prices; in reverse, further increase prices for end users. Price increases would therefore likely be higher than the figures quoted in the study.”
“With the current Euro 6/VI standards – continues the note – the EU already has the most complete and rigorous standards in the world in terms of polluting emissions (such as NOx and particulate matter). Exhaust emissions are already at a barely measurable level thanks to state-of-the-art vehicle technology.”
Low environmental impact at a high cost
“The European automotive industry is committed to further reducing emissions for the benefit of the climate, the environment and health. However, the Euro 7 proposal is simply not the right way to do it, as it would have an extremely low environmental impact at an extremely high cost,” said Sigrid de Vries, Acea General Manager. “The transition to electrification will allow for greater environmental and health benefits, while at the same time replacing older vehicles on EU roads with highly efficient Euro 6/VI models”.
Fuel increase
In addition to direct costs, the Euro 7 proposal will entail indirect costs, such as increased fuel consumption. Over the life of a vehicle, fuel costs could increase by 3.5%equal to 20,000 euros more for long-haul trucks and 650 euros more for cars and vans.
These indirect costs, “ignored in the Commission’s impact assessment, add up to direct costs. They would add to the total cost of owning a vehicle, placing further financial pressure on consumers and businesses in a period of high inflation and rising energy prices” concludes Acea.
