On 3 June 2026, the European Parliament's ENVI-IMCO-TRAN committees debated the Commission's Automotive Omnibus, a simplification package for motor vehicle technical requirements and testing procedures. The proposal, presented by Commission DG GROW's Mark Nicklas, aims to cut costs by EUR 700 million per year through e-van exemptions, Euro 7 fixes, and a new M1E small-EV category, while preserving safety and environmental performance. However, the debate exposed sharp divergences on the scope of deregulation.
Greens/EFA's Michael Bloss and S&D's Christel Schaldemose insisted simplification must not weaken environmental or safety rules, while PfE's Antonín Staněk and ECR's Alexandr Vondra argued the package was insufficient and called for broader deregulation. A major split concerned the utility factor for plug-in hybrids: EPP's Zala Tomašič and PfE's Staněk defended hybrids and sought to freeze the factor, while Schaldemose and Bloss opposed touching it, arguing it inflates real-world emissions. Nicklas maintained the factor falls outside simplification and raised legal doubts.
On Euro 7, Bloss and Schaldemose questioned deleting the low-temperature lab test, citing Nordic conditions, while Nicklas argued real-driving rules already cover cold. The M1E category for small EVs drew broad support, though S&D's François Kalfon proposed a shorter length threshold and EPP's Andreas Schwab urged benefits for European producers. E-van exemptions were welcomed, but ESN's Volker Schnurrbusch and ECR's Stefano Cavedagna pushed for technology-neutral treatment of all powertrains.
Competitiveness concerns were central: PfE and ECR cited job losses and global pressure, while S&D and Greens insisted the green transition and health protections must not be compromised. Consensus existed on targeted simplification, maintaining safety, and supporting small EVs. The meeting closed with an amendments deadline of 9 June 2026.