Small cars must stay safe cars

In her State of the European Union address earlier this month, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced an initiative to encourage the production of small, affordable cars. ETSC welcomes efforts to make cleaner mobility accessible but warns against weakening safety standards to achieve it.

The proposal follows lobbying from car industry leaders. In May, executives from Renault and Stellantis called for lighter rules on small cars to reduce costs and compete with imports. ETSC says such pressure is worrying, given the industry’s long history of resisting or delaying life-saving measures.

“Smaller, lighter cars are essential for Europe’s mobility transition – but creating a whole new class of vehicles with weaker rules is a high-risk path,” said Antonio Avenoso, ETSC’s Executive Director. “If affordability is the goal, then the answer should be fairer taxation and incentives that reward lighter, less polluting vehicles – not cutting corners on safety. Every driver, cyclist and pedestrian deserves the protection that current EU standards provide.”

ETSC stresses that affordability should not come at the expense of people’s lives. Stripped-down vehicles without proven safety features such as automated emergency braking and intelligent speed assistance would endanger both their occupants and vulnerable road users. At a time when the EU has committed to halving road deaths and serious injuries by 2030, lowering the regulatory baseline would move Europe in the wrong direction.

Instead, ETSC recommends smarter tools such as revising vehicle taxation to reflect weight, ensuring the heaviest models pay more while encouraging lighter, safer options. Public procurement can also play a role by prioritising affordable, sustainable vehicles that meet existing safety standards.

ETSC understands that a working group on the initiative will be set up and has requested to be involved in its discussions.

Photo: Wikipedia