European Union implements Euro 7 vehicle emission standards

The European Union is implementing the Euro 7 regulation (EU 2024/1257), which introduces stricter controls on vehicle emissions. Unlike previous standards, Euro 7 expands oversight beyond exhaust gases to include pollutants from brake wear and tire abrasion.

For cars and vans (M1 and N1), the regulation takes effect on November 29, 2026, for new models and November 29, 2027, for all new vehicles on the market. Buses and trucks (M2, M3, N2, N3) follow a slightly later timeline, starting May 29, 2028, for new models and May 29, 2029, for all new vehicles. Tire regulations for C1 class will begin on July 1, 2028.

Key technical requirements include: - Brake particulate limits: 3 mg/km for electric models and 7 mg/km for other motorizations until 2029, eventually moving to a uniform 3 mg/km by 2035. - Battery durability: Electric and plug-in hybrid batteries must maintain 80% capacity for 5 years or 100,000 km, and 72% capacity for 8 years or 160,000 km.

The new standards are expected to impact the market for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), as more accurate reporting of real-world consumption may disqualify certain models from government subsidies.