site.btaBulgaria Calls for Balance between Air Quality Objectives and Preserving Competitiveness of European Automotive Industry

Addressing Monday's Competitiveness Council meeting in Brussels, Deputy Economy and Industry Minister Ivaylo Shotev called for striking the right balance between air quality objectives and preserving the competitiveness of the European automotive industry, his ministry said in a press release Monday. He said it was necessary to take into account the specific characteristics of member states in terms of accessibility to mobility.

During the meeting, the Bulgarian side supported the Spanish Presidency's legislative proposal for a Council position on the Euro 7 regulation. The document sets stricter emission limits for all vehicle categories and adds new brake emission limits, tyre emission limits and vehicle battery life requirements to be met by EU vehicles. 

"The legislative changes must not lead to new cars becoming more expensive, delaying the renewal of fleet vehicles and increasing the number of second-hand vehicles," Shotev stressed.