Renault’s chief executive, Luca De Meo, expressed his disapproval of the European Union’s (EU) proposed Euro 7 emissions rules for vehicles, stating that they would divert the auto industry’s focus from its electrification goals. He also extended gratitude to the Italian government for opposing these regulations. The EU countries and lawmakers are currently slated to negotiate the “Euro 7” legislation this year, aiming to impose stricter limits on vehicle emissions, including nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide. The proposed rules are intended to be applicable to cars and vans from July 2025 and buses and trucks from two years later.
While speaking remotely at an event in Trento, Italy, De Meo, who is also the president of the European auto lobby group ACEA, voiced his concerns about the proposed regulations. He emphasized that these regulations would compel the industry to invest significant amounts of money in technologies that he believes have no future. Consequently, he urged the European Union to reconsider its intentions regarding the approval of the Euro 7 regulation in its current form, as it could divert resources from the industry’s ongoing transformation.
In his statement, De Meo acknowledged the Italian government’s stance on the matter and expressed gratitude for its support. Italy’s Transport Minister Matteo Salvini previously declared that Italy, along with its allies in the EU, possessed sufficient numbers to block the implementation of the Euro 7 regulation. This united front between Renault and the Italian government highlights their shared opposition to the proposed emissions rules.
The European Commission has also established a deadline of 2035 for phasing out the production of fossil fuel-powered cars. However, it recently introduced an exemption for vehicles utilizing e-fuels. These developments reflect the EU’s commitment to promoting a sustainable automotive industry by gradually transitioning away from traditional combustion engines.
As negotiations proceed, the outcomes will have a significant impact on the European auto industry’s future trajectory. The concerns raised by Renault’s CEO regarding the Euro 7 emissions rules shed light on the challenges faced by the industry in balancing emissions reduction targets with the transition to electric vehicles. It remains to be seen how the European Union will respond to these concerns and whether any adjustments will be made to the proposed regulations.
