- As part of a new Automotive Package announced by the European Commission earlier this week, the European Union is set to introduce a new vehicle classification category for compact electric cars.
- The new vehicle class, branded M1E, will cover electric vehicles up to 4.2 metres in length.
- The initiative is partly inspired by Japan’s Kei car classification, but this EU take will allow a longer length and mandate that the cars themselves must be fully electric.
EU introduces new compact EV class to drive forward adoption
The new M1E classification was announced as part of the European Union’s wider Automotive Package, which also included a €1.8 billion battery programme that will push forward the development of an EU-based EV battery supply chain.
This new classification will be limited to EVs with a length of up to 4.2 metres. EU-manufactured cars sold under this classification will also give manufacturers so-called ‘super credits’ towards their EU-mandated emissions targets – each zero-emission M1E car sold will grant them 1.3 credits, compared to the standard 1 credit. This gives manufacturers an even stronger reason to sell these vehicles, and could lead to manufacturers discounting such vehicles in order to avoid costly fees for non-compliance with EU emissions. This could make small EVs even more affordable.
It will also allow member states and local authorities to create targeted incentives for these types of vehicles. That’s particularly pertinent when many cities are now imposing higher parking charges on larger and heavier cars.
The full technical details of the new M1E classification are yet to be fully confirmed, but the 4.2 metre rule could allow existing small EVs such as the Renault 5 to be compatible, as well as upcoming models such as the Volkswagen ID. Polo.
