If adopted, all new cars would have to meet the standards before they could be sold in the UK.
PM Sir Keir Starmer (Image: Getty)
The cost of a typical new petrol car could soar by as much as £1,800 under Sir Keir Starmer’s plans to adopt new EU rules, it has been claimed. Ministers are preparing to follow EU standards on pollution levels as Labour looks to cosy up to the bloc as part of the Prime Minister’s post-Brexit ‘reset’.
The Government has announced a consultation on a proposal to follow Brussels’ “Euro 7” rules. This would see tighter emissions standards ushered in, including covering pollution from tyres and brake pads for the first time, according to reports. It comes as ministers prepare to introduce legislation that would allow the UK to sign up to EU single market rules without a full vote in Parliament.
The cost of new cars could be set to increase, analysis warns (Image: Getty)
The Prime Minister has been accused of betraying the 2016 EU referendum by closer aligning the UK with the bloc.
Independent analysis suggests adopting Euro 7 rules could see a surge in vehicle prices as motorists continue to grapple with soaring fuel prices.
If adopted, all new cars would have to meet the standards before they could be sold in the UK.
The red tape could add around £1,800 to the cost of manufacturing a new petrol or diesel car, according to Frontier Economics for the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, The Telegraph reported.
Shadow Transport Secretary Richard Holden criticised the plans, telling the newspaper: “Drivers are facing huge costs and challenges already – whether through anti-driver measures, rocketing fuel prices or charge after charge. Here we are once again, Labour wanting to burden drivers with a brand new and totally unnecessary cost.
“Labour should not be aligning with these EU rules. We have no vote in these regulations, yet this weak Labour Government is choosing to impose them anyway. Labour should cut costs for drivers by axing the fuel duty rise.
“Only the Conservatives have a clear plan to cut the cost of driving. We will axe the fuel duty rise and fix Britain’s roads with our ‘Pothole Patrol’.”
The rules could also see the manufacturing cost of diesel lorries increase by more than £10,000, the Frontier Economics for the European Automobile Manufacturers said.
Its analysis also suggests a 5% increase in an average family car price, valued at £34,000.
The regulations were due to be introduced last summer but were delayed following outrage in the car industry.
A Department of Transport spokesperson told The Telegraph that the EU regulations had significantly changed since Frontier Economics produced its report and any extra costs would be lower than its estimate.
They said: “Drivers will benefit from better air quality, longer-lasting tyres that can save money over time, and improved confidence when buying used electric vehicles.”