Accepting US car standards would risk European lives

Summary

EU officials must revisit the hastily agreed trade deal with the US, where the EU stated that it “intends to accept” lower US vehicle standards, say cities – including Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam, and more than 75 civil society organisations. In a letter to European lawmakers, the signatories warn that aligning European standards with laxer rules in the US would undermine the EU’s global leadership in road safety, public health, climate policy and competitiveness. Road Safety The deal agreed over summer states that “with respect to automobiles, the United States and the European Union intend to accept and provide mutual recognition to each other’s standards.” Yet, EU vehicle safety regulations have supported a 36% reduction in European road deaths since 2010. By contrast, road deaths in the US over the same period increased 30%, with pedestrian deaths up 80% and cyclist deaths up 50%. Europe currently has mandatory requirements for life-saving technologies, such as pedestrian protection, automated emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance. Some of the most basic pedestrian protection requirements which have long been in place in the EU, such as deformation zones in the front of vehicles to reduce crash severity and the prohibition of sharp edges have made cars like the Tesla Cybertruck illegal to sell in Europe. “Europe built its reputation on pioneering robust vehicle standards.To accept lower US standards would undo decades of EU progress,” say the signatories. According to the letter “the consequences of such a move for European road safety would be profound.“ VIDEO European air quality & health at risk The EU is set to apply limits to harmful pollution from brake and tyre wear from 2026 onwards, while at the same time the US is moving to weaken air pollution rules for vehicles. Accepting weaker US standards would increase European exposure to pollutants linked to asthma, cancer and numerous cardiovascular and neurological conditions, warn the signatories. ...