EU Commission proposes new emission regulations for cars and vans

European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton gives a press conference on the security, defense, and military mobility package in Brussels, Belgium, Thursday. EPA-Yonhap

Cars, vans and other vehicles on sale in the European Union through 2035 will need to emit fewer pollutants, according to new regulations from the European Commission proposed on Thursday.

The emission standards are to make combustion engine vehicles on the EU's market "as clean as possible for as long as possible," EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton said in a statement.

Termed the Euro7 rules, the commission expects the standards to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from cars by an estimated 35% by 2035, and by more than 50% for buses and trucks.

Euro 7 also include emissions from brakes and tyres, as well as that from exhaust pipes, with the aim of reducing harmful emissions like micro plastics and other ultrafine particles.

Standards on tyres and brakes also apply to electric vehicles. Pending approval, the commission said the new rules for cars and vans enter in force from 2025, and for heavier vehicles two years later.

The pollution regulations follow on from an EU agreement in October to ban the sale of vehicles with combustion engines in the bloc from 2035. (dpa)