With Euro 7 against Chinese supremacy?

The final details of the next stage of limits on emissions from internal combustion engines have not yet been finalized. But the opposition of the automotive industry stands: Much too expensive for an effect that can hardly be proven, the opponents are sure. Prof. Thomas Koch of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) shares this opinion, but finds surprisingly weighty arguments for the sharp EU7, which, however, have little to do with protecting the environment and climate.

In an interview with the media of the Autoren-Union Mobilität, engine expert Prof. Koch recognizes China's "irrepressible will to conquer the European market not only with electric cars but also with modern combustion engines. Koch is sure German manufacturers will "simply offer outdated technology if we don't continue." He wants to continue with Euro 7 because it means a technical lead and thus secures jobs in Europe. The KIT professor warns: "Contrary to numerous self-proclaimed experts, the Chinese have seen through the fact that pure electromobility has also failed in our country before it could even get off the ground."

Koch finds "every microgram of NO2 important" in the planned low limits. Parts of the European Parliament and the EU Commission were planning limit values that would make it possible to close through roads. For this reason, he says, the new standard must be such that passenger car emissions are lost in the "measurement noise of the annual average."

It will also be expensive. Prof. Koch estimates that even cars in the compact class would be "at least 500 euros to well over 1000 euros more expensive as a result of exhaust gas aftertreatment." (aum)