Europe is advancing, quite quickly and without looking back, towards the implementation of legal measures that force motorcycle users to guarantee the recycling of these vehicles at the end of their useful life. In fact, at present, trucks, motorcycles and buses are not covered by vehicle standards at the end of their useful life. But as we are telling you, that will change this year.
In addition to promoting electrification and promoting models driven by alternative energy, the authorities of the old continent are using other strategies to address environmental challenges. Among them, the one we are telling you, a clear approach “green”In vehicle management at the end of their life cycle.
The new regulation on vehicles at the end of its useful life seeks to protect the environment, decarbonize production and reduce dependence on raw materials, benefiting the EU industries.
The problem is that, currently, vehicles that are at the end of their useful life do not receive optimal treatment, which generates loss of resources and pollution. Modern low emission vehicles need lights, batteries and light electronic components that depend on imports and can be difficult to recycle.
But there are more problems about it in Europe
- Lack of circularity in design and production.
- Poor quality of vehicle waste treatment.
- High dependence on imported raw materials.
- 1/3 of the vehicles “disappear.”
- Weak governance and lack of cooperation.
- 1/3 of mass vehicles are not regulated.
Since the summer of 2023, the European Commission has been reviewing the regulations that regulate vehicles out of use (VFU). Regulation that, by the way, has been implementing more than two decades in our continent.
This effort seeks to guarantee their collection and recycling, as well as encourage manufacturers to incorporate recycled materials into the production of new vehicles. That is, a set of modern standards will arrive to improve the quality of treatment at the end of life, encourage reuse and make the most efficient use of valuable resources.
The scope of this initiative is considerably important, since it aims to unify regulations throughout Europe, improve vehicle waste management, reduce imported raw material dependence, combat illegal exports and cover market segments so far excluded.
Currently, although cars are subject to specific regulations for their end of useful life, it seeks to expand these standards to other types of vehicles. As we commented before, trucks, buses and motorcycles are not regulated in this regard. That is, approximately one third of the VFUs, including motorized two wheel vehicles, are not yet covered by these regulations.
Thus, the new directive would establish a European legal framework for motorcycle dismantling at the end of its useful life. According to these regulations, all “L” category vehicles must be taken to authorized centers for dismantling, and manufacturers will be obliged to include at least 25 % of recycled materials in the production of new vehicles.
France has already taken steps in this direction through the creation of an expanded producer (RAP) system, which includes motorcycles, scooters and quads. This system, in force since last year, requires that motorized two and three wheel vehicles at the end of their useful life be delivered in authorized centers to facilitate the recovery of materials and their reuse.
Although France has already advanced in motorcycle regulation, the European legal framework is still in development.
Consultations to finish these regulations will be resumed earlier this year under the Polish Presidency, and the final proposal is expected to be adopted and implemented before the end of the year we have just started.
