Iveco Group CEO Gerrit Marx says Euro 7 standard for commercial vehicles is a stupid idea

The CEO of Iveco Group, Gerrit Marx, has heavily criticized Euro 7 standards that are set to regulate emissions and limit polluting vehicles, including nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide, in the European Union from 2025, calling them “simply stupid“.

Marx claims that the regulation is “technically unrealizable” and the efforts to achieve it are enormous with no real payback. Marx further criticized the European Commission’s policies on low-emission mobility, stating that the error was discussing new Euro VII standards, reducing CO2 emissions and electrification simultaneously, with no coordination and coherent industrial and environmental policies.

Gerrit Marx, Iveco Group, on Euro 7 standards

Gerrit Marx believes that the Euro 7 standard, which will enter into force in 2025, is a “nonsense,” not only regarding emission reduction objectives but also concerning timing. Iveco has the technical capabilities to develop a Euro 7-compatible engine for light commercial vehicles, but Marx faces a difficult choice: to continue investing in developing internal combustion engines or focusing on producing entirely electric trucks.

“On our commercial vehicle side, what is not correct is to give us such a tight Euro 7 and at the same time very tight CO2 (regulation),” he said as quoted on Reuters.

Hydrogen engine for decarbonization?

For heavy commercial vehicles and buses, Marx thinks that hydrogen, a renewable zero-emission fuel, is the only way to ensure decarbonization of transport. The European Commission proposed a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2040 compared to 2019 values, but it did not ban the endothermic engine for heavy vehicles. Iveco is working on an 80% hydrogen engine compatible with a gas engine. Marx argues that hydrogen is more cost-effective than battery-electric and fuel cell electric vehicles.