The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) has said that while it recognises the ‘ambitious proposal’ for an End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation, currently being discussed by the EU Environment Council, a more balanced and practical approach will be needed to ensure the regulation’s effectiveness.
“To be effective, the End-Of-Life Vehicles Regulation must set clear, achievable targets that promote innovation and competitiveness, avoiding rigid frameworks that cause inefficiency or high compliance costs,” commented ACEA director general Sigrid de Vries.
Among the measures that the ACEA is advocating for is a stepwise approach to the implementation of plastic recycled content targets – including an initial target of 15% recycled content within 72 months, followed by a second target of 20% five years later.
Calculation methodology
Elsewhere, the ACEA has called for the publication of a clear calculation methodology to ensure that all sustainable materials, including pre-consumer recyclates, chemically recycled materials, and bio-based options, are considered when meeting these targets.
‘The availability of safe, high-quality, closed-loop secondary raw materials for vehicles is limited due to current recycling technologies, long vehicle lifespans, and legacy substances no longer allowed in newer models. Thus, separate closed-loop targets are unnecessary,’ the group noted.
On the topic of mandatory dismantling, the ACEA said that it, along with other actors in the automotive sector, supports a ‘practical approach’ that aligns with both market demand and environmental benefits.
It also added that the regulation should take into account the specific characteristics of heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), such as trucks and buses, and set requirements that account for the specificities of each vehicle category.
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) represents 15 major Europe-based car, van, truck and bus makers, including BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler Truck, Ferrari, Ford of Europe, Honda Motor Europe, Hyundai Motor Europe, Iveco Group, JLR, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Renault Group, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, and Volvo Group. Read more here.
