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The European Union has announced new legislation that could reshape how vehicles are designed, produced, dismantled and recycled across the EU, following a provisional agreement between the European Parliament and the Council on the Commission’s proposed Regulation on End-of-Life Vehicles.
The End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs) Regulation comes ahead of the possible relaxation of Europe’s EV mandate, up for debate in Brussels this week, demonstrating Europe’s enduring commitment to a sustainable automotive sector despite EV trepidation.
The automotive industry is one of Europe’s largest consumers of raw materials, including steel, aluminium, copper and plastics. Yet every year an estimated 3–4 million vehicles effectively “disappear” from official records, with their final treatment unreported. The new ELV regulation aims to close this gap, ensuring valuable materials are recovered rather than lost or left to contribute to environmental pollution.
At the heart of the regulation is an attempt to build out a more circular economy whereby materials are re-used rather than wasted. Vehicles will need to be designed for easier dismantling, with manufacturers required to provide clear instructions for removing and replacing parts during use and at end of life. Improved treatment standards will help recover more and higher-quality materials, including a requirement that at least 30% of plastics from ELVs are recycled.
From 2036, at least 25% of plastics used in vehicles must come from recycled materials, with 20% of that share sourced directly from ELVs. Crucially, the rules will apply equally to vehicles manufactured in the EU and those imported, ensuring a level playing field.
The regulation is expected to deliver major material gains. The Commission estimates it could enable the recycling and reuse of hundreds of tonnes of rare earth elements, alongside 5–6 million tonnes of steel, 1–2 million tonnes of aluminium and up to 0.3 million tonnes of copper. This will reduce dependence on imports and strengthen Europe’s resilience to supply-chain disruptions.
Executive Vice-President for Prosperity and Industrial Strategy Stéphane Séjourné said in a press release:
“Boosting recycling and circularity is a key component of our plan to support the industrial competitiveness of the plastics industry. The adopted measures will help to create a concrete business case for the recycling supply chain across Europe.”
The regulation also promotes reuse, remanufacturing and refurbishment, increasing the availability of second-hand spare parts and offering more affordable repair options for consumers. Extended Producer Responsibility schemes will be harmonised across Member States, ensuring proper financing of ELV treatment and higher-quality recycling.
Enforcement provisions have been strengthened, including clearer criteria to distinguish used vehicles from ELVs and a requirement that only roadworthy vehicles can be exported outside the EU.
Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy spoke in a press release:
“In a time when access to raw materials is under increasing global strain, making better use of the valuable resources embedded in our old cars is good for our environment, competitiveness and resilience.”
Once formally adopted, the regulation will enter into force 20 days after publication, marking a major milestone in Europe’s transition to a circular automotive economy.
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