/Update/
ST. PETERSBURG, June 16. /TASS/. The large-scale downgrading of the emission class for Russian trucks can lead to problems of carriers, President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday at the meeting on development of the automotive industry.
“I would like to draw attention to the fact that strict environmental standards in respect of trucks are effective even in friendly states, with partners in Eurasian integration. If we make the large-scale downgrade of the emission class for Russian trucks, this can affect market positions of our carriers. They simply will not be allowed to enter and it means drivers will face also employment problems,” the President said.
Russian truck plants are proactively adjusting production chains and domestic engine producers are substituting ‘lost’ suppliers, the head of state said. “It should be recognized that such replacement at the moment is also related to the downgrade of the engine emission standard and this is not merely an issue of caring for the environment in our cities and regions but also the factor of competitiveness,” Putin added.