What are the problems?
Vehicles at the end of their life are not being handled in an optimal way, resulting in loss of resources and pollution.
Modern, low-emissions vehicles need light-weight materials, batteries and electronic components, which are dependent on imports and can be difficult to recycle.
Lack of circularity in design and production
Εxisting laws have not led to better eco-design of cars nor to an increase in use of recycled materials
Poor quality of vehicle waste treatment
Low-quality scrap steel, insufficient separation of materials, low plastics recycling rates
High dependency on imported raw materials
Automotive industry consumes vast amounts of raw materials, many of which must be imported
1/3 of vehicles go “missing”
Αround 3.5 million vehicles disappear without a trace from EU roads each year - and are exported, or disposed of illegally
Weak governance and lack of cooperation
Lack of financial accountability and not enough cooperation between manufacturers and recyclers
1/3 of vehicles by mass are not regulated
Lorries, motorcycles, buses are not covered by the current end-of-life vehicles rules
(Critical) raw materials
The production of vehicles is one of the most resource-intensive industries.
The automotive industry in the EU is the N°1 consumer of aluminium (42%), magnesium (44%), platinum group metals (63%), natural rubber (67%) and rare earth elements (30% in 2025, and growing exponentially).
What is the EU proposing?
A modern, future proof set of rules covering the entire cycle from design and production to end-of-life treatment.
Design circular
Cars must be designed to be easily dismantled, and must meet reusability, recyclability and recoverability rates. Better documentation and vehicle circularity passports.
Use recycled content
25% of the plastic used to build a new vehicle must be recycled.
Collect more and smarter
Put a stop to “missing” ELVs by connecting national vehicle registration systems, banning export of vehicles that aren't roadworthy, and increasing checks and fines.
Treat better
Recover more and better-quality raw materials through stricter rules on recycling and reusing, as well as incentives to encourage the sale of spare parts.
Make producers responsible
Better governance, better cooperation: "Extended Producer Responsibility" to encourage better quality waste treatment and industry cooperation.
Cover more vehicles
Gradually extend the scope of the rules to all lorries, buses and motorcycles.
These changes mean that by 2035
12.8 million tons less CO2 emitted
worth 2.9 billion EUR
3.8 million more ELVs collected and treated in the EU
that otherwise may have been exported or dismantled illegally
350 tons of rare earth materials collected for reuse and recycling
significantly contributing to the EU’s strategic autonomy
5.4 million tons of materials recycled at higher quality or re-used
including plastics, steel, aluminium, copper and critical raw materials
22,000 new jobs will be created in the EU
including 14,000 jobs for SMEs, strengthening the dismantling and recycling industry
Lower prices for second-hand parts and components
meaning it will be cheaper to maintain and repair vehicles
Stepping up in the area of exported used vehicles
Over 800,000 used vehicles are exported from the EU each year, mainly to Africa. Many of these vehicles are highly polluting and dangerous (causing traffic deaths) given their age.
The export of end-of-life vehicles is already banned. The new, stronger regulation and more traceability will ensure that only high-quality, technically fit European vehicles will be exported to consumers in 3rd countries