Eco-Innovation and Eco-Design in the Current Automotive Industry

Current sustainability challenges and the systemic transformation required highlight the need for innovations at multiple levels.The global regulatory framework is driving new environmental design methods and practices.At the European level, based on the European Green Deal, the 8th Environment Action Program (EAP) entered into force on 2 May 2022 as the EU's legally agreed common agenda for environmental policy up to 2030.The EAP forms the EU's basis for achieving the United Nations' 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals.In 2020, the European Commission adopted a new Circular Economy Action Plan, which provides measures throughout the product life cycle and aims to prepare the European economy for a green future and strengthen competitiveness, while protecting the environment and giving new rights to consumers.In 2023, the European Council adopted its position on the proposal for a regulation establishing a framework for the stability of eco-design requirements for sustainable products.The automotive industry is trying to cope with these regulations and at the same time to remain competitive in terms of costs.Also, it is a landmark in forming sectoral models of eco-innovation and eco-design due to its role in modern societies, positively as the main choice of transport but negatively in terms of environmental damage and the intensive use of non-renewable resources.