Ibama gives in to automakers and extends production deadline for more polluting cars

Ibama (Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources) gave in to the requests of automakers and extended the deadline for adapting new cars to a new stage of environmental legislation by three months.

The standard established by the seventh phase of Proconve (Vehicular Emissions Control Program) provided that light automobiles produced from January 1st should emit less pollutants than models made in 2021. The list of harmful substances includes carbon monoxide, of nitrogen, hydrocarbons and soot.

However, about half of the automakers installed in the country have incomplete cars in their yards due to lack of parts. If there was no change in the deadline, these models could not be completed this year, as they would not meet the new standard.

In early December, Anfavea claimed that the change was not something simple. According to Luiz Carlos Moraes, president of the entity, there are many changes in the gas after-treatment systems, with new components and even changes in the power of the engines.

With the new deadline, companies will have until March 31 to complete the unfinished cars. The review was published on December 30th in the Official Gazette.

The text from Ibama says that the change considers “a reason for force majeure resulting from the destabilization of the supply chains of components for the Brazilian automotive sector, due to the crisis caused by the pandemic of international importance by the coronavirus”.

The zero-kilometer cars not suitable for Proconve 7 that are ready in the first quarter can be sold until June 30th.

According to Ibama, vehicles whose assembly was not completed in time would have their LCVM (License for the Use of Vehicle or Engine Configuration) expired – therefore, they would have to be destroyed. The institute said, through a note, that this would generate a problem of environmental liabilities, in addition to the economic impacts.

However, several brands could adapt their cars following the original deadline, which can be seen in the accumulation of launches at the turn of the year. There are also a considerable number of models and versions that are discontinued.

Fiat, for example, launched the Pulse compact SUV and updated the Fiorino van, which is now compliant with the new emissions standard. At the same time, the automaker of Italian origin took the Uno, Dobló and Siena models off the line, in addition to ending the offer of the 1.8 flex engine.

General Motors “retired” the Chevrolet Joy in the domestic market. The model still used the four-cylinder 1.0-liter flex engine, while the new generation Onix is ​​equipped with a three-cylinder version.

The Japanese Honda and Toyota also present new configurations of their 1.5 engines, while the French Renault works on the renewal of the Kwid, which will be more economical.