Euro 7— it sounds like some kind of football tournament. But there’s no extra time when it comes to the climate. The EU’s last set of emission standards is coming into force to tighten vehicle regulations as an intensified push towards cleaner air, a healthier planet and a shot at hitting the 2050 climate neutrality goal.
What are the Euro 7 emission standards?
It’s the final stretch: we’ve reached the last of the EU’s emission standards aimed at reducing air pollution from vehicles to improve atmospheric conditions. Replacing Euro 6, Euro 7 is the tightest, most ambitious regulation ever introduced on the continent. It applies to all vehicle types (petrol, diesel, hybrid, electric) and targets both exhaust and non-exhaust emissions.
What is the difference between Euro 6 and Euro 7?
As is no surprise, Euro 7 is a step up from Euro 6. As the last set of EU vehicle restrictions, it represents the final transitional step towards greener driving before the full-blown shift to clean transport by 2050.
Vehicles regulated
While the Euro 6 emissions limits apply only to petrol and diesel vehicles, the Euro 7 emission standards control hybrid and electric vehicles too.
Pollutants targeted
The main changes reflected in the Euro 7 emission standards are:
- The regulation of new pollutants: brake dust, tyre microplastics, ammonia and nitrous oxide
- A reduction of the nitrogen oxides limit in light-duty diesel vehicles
- Over 50% reduction in the nitrous oxide limit in heavy-duty vehicles
- 75% reduction in particle number for heavy-duty vehicles
See the comparison of exact figures below.
Light-duty vehicles (cars and vans)
| Pollutant | Euro 6 limit (mg/km) | Euro 7 limit (mg/km) |
| Nitrogen oxides | 60 petrol / 80 diesel | 60 petrol / 60 diesel |
| Carbon monoxide | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Particle number (mass) | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Particle number (particles) | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Brake particles | Unregulated | 7 |
| Tyre particles | Unregulated | To be defined |
Heavy-duty vehicles (truck and buses)
| Pollutant | Euro 6 limit (mg/km) | Euro 7 limit (mg/km) |
| Nitrogen oxides | 460 | 200 |
| Particle number (mass) | 10 | 10 |
| Particle number (particles) | 8 x 1011 | 2 x 1011 |
| Ammonia | Unregulated | 7 |
| Nitrous oxide | Unregulated | 20 |
Expanded emissions testing
As you can see, certain limits from Euro 6 have remained the same for Euro 7. However, the testing conditions accompanying them have broadened—making compliance more difficult. Real-world conditions including extreme weather and altitudes must now be considered, as well as driving events such as cold starts, short trips, high speeds, and towing.
Compliance duration
Emission systems must now last 10 years or 200,000 km—double the time/distance demanded in Euro 6.
Alternative fuel vehicles
Euro 6 didn’t stipulate rules for electrified vehicles. Euro 7, on the other hand, mandates minimum performance standards for battery life in EVs and hybrid vehicles.
| Category | Battery durability after 5 years or 100,000 km | Battery durability after 8 years or 160,000 km |
| Light-duty vehicles | 80% capacity | 72% capacity |
| Heavy-duty vehicles | 75% capacity | 67% capacity |
Amongst addressing other concerns, these capacity specifications aim to limit battery resource extraction (requiring environmentally damaging mining processes for metals like lithium) and potentially toxic waste.
Alternative fuel vehicles will be subject to the same non-exhaust emissions regulations as fossil fuel vehicles.
When will the Euro 7 emission standards take effect?
Let’s take a look at the timeline for the Euro 7 emission standards roll-out and the deadlines relevant to different vehicle types.
May 8, 2024: the regulation 2024/1257 was published in the EU Official Journal.
July 1, 2025: enforcement for new type approvals (light-duty vehicles).
November 29, 2026: mandatory compliance for all new types (light-duty vehicles).
November 29, 2026: mandatory compliance for all new vehicles sold (light-duty vehicles).
July 1, 2027: enforcement for new type approvals (heavy-duty vehicles).
July 1, 2028: mandatory compliance for all new vehicles (heavy-duty vehicles).
July 1, 2030: mandatory compliance for small and ultra-small volume manufacturers.
How will the Euro 7 emission standards affect me?
“I already own a car/a fleet of vehicles”
Euro 7 emissions standards do not apply to vehicles that are already in use. If you currently own a car, van, truck or bus, it does not need any modifications—you can continue driving it as it is. Only new vehicles entering the market must follow Euro 7 regulations.
“I’m looking to buy a passenger car in the near future”
If you’re planning to purchase a car soon, Euro 7 could affect your options and price point. Models you may have been considering could be phased out as others are brought in to meet stricter requirements. There is also potential for price increases since manufacturers will face higher costs from research, development and compliance actions.
That said, governments may offer incentives like subsidies to encourage buyers to invest in Euro-7 compliant cars. By waiting for these updated models, you will benefit from cleaner technology, more durable performance and perhaps even financial support.
“I’m a fleet manager”
Euro 7 will affect your future fleet acquisitions, with new vehicles having to meet tighter environmental standards. Despite higher up-front costs, cleaner vehicles reward fleet businesses with long-term savings — for example, the benefits of transitioning to EVs include improved fuel efficiency, lower maintenance costs and potential tax incentives.
More than a compliance obligation, adapting to Euro 7 is a strategic move to future-proof your fleet. Preparing your operations for a new automotive landscape gives you a competitive advantage, ensuring continued productivity under an unfamiliar status quo.
“I don’t drive”
Even if you don’t drive, Euro 7 standards matter to you. Cutting back pollutant levels in the air translates to fewer respiratory issues, heart problems and general health concerns.
Beyond personal wellbeing, Euro 7 is a step towards safeguarding the planet you live on, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable technologies. Cleaner air and a controlled climate protect everyone—whether you’re behind the wheel or not.
