Briefing: The Automotive Omnibus proposal and the new vehicle subcategory for small electric cars (M1E)

This ETSC briefing examines the European Commission’s proposed “Automotive Omnibus” package and its plan to create a new subcategory of small electric passenger cars (M1E). The proposal would effectively freeze EU vehicle safety requirements for these vehicles for up to ten years. ETSC warns that locking in outdated safety standards risks creating a two-tier safety system on European roads, particularly in urban environments where pedestrians and cyclists account for a large share of road deaths. The briefing explains the safety implications of the proposal, outlines concerns about exemptions for electric vans and potential delays to lorry direct vision standards, and sets out ETSC recommendations for maintaining strong and forward-looking EU vehicle safety rules.