The EU has approved new rules requiring carmakers to design vehicles for easier recycling, reuse, and inclusion of recycled materials.
BRUSSELS: The European Parliament has backed new rules aimed at making the automotive industry more sustainable, with a focus on recycling, reuse, and circular design. The measures, approved by 431 MEPs with 145 against and 76 abstentions, cover the entire vehicle lifecycle, from production to end-of-life treatment.
Under the draft law, new vehicles must be designed to allow authorised treatment facilities to easily remove parts and components for replacement, reuse, or recycling. This change is expected to boost Europe’s car recycling industry and reduce the environmental footprint of manufacturing and disposal.
A key feature of the proposal is the introduction of recycled material targets. Within six years of the rules coming into force, plastics in new vehicle models must contain at least 20% recycled content. This target is set to increase to 25% within 10 years, provided enough recycled material is available at reasonable cost.
MEPs have also asked the European Commission to explore similar recycled content requirements for steel and aluminium, pending a feasibility study.
Special-purpose vehicles, such as those used by the armed forces, civil defence, emergency services, and historic or cultural vehicles, are exempt from the rules.
By enforcing these circular economy measures, the EU aims to make car manufacturing greener while ensuring valuable materials are reused rather than wasted. If fully adopted, the rules could reshape how vehicles are built, used, and dismantled across the continent.
