Czechia opposes the European Commission’s Euro 7 emission standard, which intends to reduce nitrogen oxides and particulate matter emissions that are emitted by vehicles, said Transport Minister Martin Kupka, who wants to discuss the issue with Commissioner Thierry Breton on Friday.
According to Czech government politicians and automotive industry stakeholders, the new proposal would jeopardise the production and availability of new vehicles.
“Our position on the current form of the standard is clearly negative. We are aware of the threat to car production for cars, trucks and buses, as well as the significant threat to public access to cars. We will appeal for the necessary modification of the standard,” Kupka said, emphasising that his German counterpart is also against the stricter standards.
Cars are not checked for emissions after five years old and having a mileage of over 100,000 kilometres.
However, if the current Euro 7 proposal is approved, vehicles will have to comply with stricter standards for a longer period. Cars and vans would be checked until they turn 10 and reach a 200,000 kilometres mileage, and standards would also apply to breaks and tyres, not just exhausts.
The proposed standards should give individual manufacturers enough time to ensure they have the technology available in the first place, such as low-emission brakes or sensors that monitor emissions while driving, Kupka said.
Czech automakers say the current proposal would make new cars significantly more expensive. Michal Kadera, director of external relations of the Czech automotive company Škoda, also warned that the measures in the proposal would further damage the environment as customers would not buy a new and more expensive car but would rather prefer to continue using their old and high-emission cars.
(Aneta Zachová | EURACTIV.cz)
Source: euractiv.com
