Europe is in full crusade with the old vehicle. In the main cities of Spain They can no longer circulate. The entry into force of the environmental badges leave out all gasoline cars before January 2001 and diesel prior to 2006: they cannot circulate through Low emissions areaswhich will be extended until the environmental objectives imposed by the EU will.
There is a type of vehicle exempt from this age punishment: The classic vehicle. A culture also relevant in the world of motorcycle, and that according to the Federation of European motorcyclists associations It is at risk.
Or maybe … not so much.
Recycling objectives. The European Commission is in the process of reviewing its directive on vehicles at the end of its useful life (ELV). A legislation in which the objectives of recycling, reuse and elimination of materials in vehicles that reach the end of their life cycle are collected. The objective, on paper, is to foster the circular economy.
This old woman Directive 2000/53/ECuntil now only applicable is close to being replaced by a new one planned by 2026 and with a vote in June 2025. If approved, it would cease to exclusively affect cars and light vans, to also affect motorcycles.
The new regulations. The proposal on THE NEW REGULATION COM (2023) 451 On the new circularity requirements applicable to vehicles includes new categories, including motorcycles, to create regulations that harmonize recycling between virtually all types of vehicle.
The text makes it clear that a deep review of how vehicle recycling and manufacturing processes is necessary, focusing on the focus on which this industry is one of the ones that consumes the most resources.
The impact. If this new proposal was approved, the processes to reuse components, the requirements of homologation and the doubt (in certain scenarios) of whether or not or not a vehicle are a vehicle at the end of its useful life.
“For the purposes of transferring the property of a used vehicle, the vehicle owner must be able to demonstrate to any natural or legal person interested in acquiring the property of the vehicle in question or the competent authorities that are not a vehicle at the end of its useful life. When assessing the situation of a used vehicle, the owner of the vehicle, other economic operators and the competent authorities will verify if the criteria established in the Annex I are fulfilled. A vehicle at the end of its useful life. “
Criteria and discord. Said Annex I, in which the points that determine what a repairable or not, show certain shadows in the case of motorcycles are collected. And Europe will consider that a vehicle is technically irreparable if it meets one or more of the following criteria.
- It has been cut into pieces or disassembled (“disassembling” a motorcycle is necessary for virtually any deep modification).
- Its repair requires the replacement of the engine, the gearbox, the body or assembly of the frame, which results in the loss of the original identity of the vehicle.
- He has not carried out the National Technical Inspection required for more than two years from the date on which it was last required.
They are just some examples that would supposedly put in check the identity of the classic motorcycle, in which it is more than common to replace or repair components such as the engine, body and gearbox.
The matter of Do not pass ITV: Many of these classic vehicles are projects that do not circulate by road until they have ended (they can last years).
Not what you are thinking. So far, it is not unreasonable to think that the EU has lost its head and wants to end any used or classic vehicle. But the key is to interpret the text well. Which, in its first paragraph, makes clear the objective:
“New measures to address EU’s exterior environmental footprint Linked to export of vfu and used vehicles. “
In other words, what Europe wants is to create a solid regulatory framework in which there is a clear distinction between what is an apt vehicle and not suitable for its export. For example, prevent a motorcycle from without ITV and that requires motor replacement, can be exported abroad. Something that would not prevent, if it has the ITV per day and the corresponding replacement of an approved motor, it can be sold without problem.
In the requirements of Section 2, related to the controls and requirements related to the export of used vehicles, the previous references are made, but for the moment there are no criteria beyond those related to the sale outside of Spain.
What does FEMA ask. FEMA’s request is clear: that motorcycles are outside this directive Or, in case they are applied, to play with their own rules. In Spain we consider everything with at least 30 years as a classic vehicle. Some of them, far from reaching the end of their useful life, enjoy a second life thanks, precisely, to the replacement of components.
Doubts are lawful about whether a classic, fully functional and restored vehicle will cease to be considered repairable or valid for export after application of the new regulations. One that, by the way, must still be voted, approve, and get ahead with more than possible modifications in the text.
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