EU cave in on vehicle trade rules will cost European lives
16 days ago
- #vehicle emissions
- #EU-US trade
- #road safety
- EU-US trade pact may increase sales of US monster pick-up trucks in Europe, raising safety and pollution concerns.
- American pick-up trucks like RAMs have higher CO2 emissions (347g/km) compared to average EU cars (106g/km).
- Pedestrian deaths in the US are three times higher than in the EU, linked to the rise of large SUVs and pick-ups.
- EU safety standards, including emergency braking and seat belt reminders, may be undermined by the trade pact.
- The Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) loophole allows US pick-ups to bypass EU safety and pollution standards.
- RAM pick-ups, with bonnet heights of 130cm, pose visibility risks, especially to children under nine.
- The trade deal could lower the price of RAM pick-ups by €6,000, making them more accessible in Europe.
- EU Commission proposals to close the IVA loophole are at risk due to the trade pact's mutual recognition clause.
- US pick-ups are nearly three times more likely to kill pedestrians or cyclists in collisions compared to normal cars.
- The trade pact could reverse 20 years of EU road safety improvements, according to T&E.