Euro 7 emission standards explained

Euro 7 emission standards explained

If you’re in the market for a new car, you may want to check out the Euro emission standards so you make a fully-informed purchase.

The regulations, which were initially a point of interest for international policy makers and car manufacturers, have since become a way of categorising vehicles and reducing the number of toxic fumes they produce. 

On a legislative basis, they are used by authorities to implement Low Emission Zones, and with new restrictions popping up all over the country, it’s a good idea to at least gain a passing knowledge of the rules – at the end of the day, if you don’t know them, it could very well cost you money.

So, following the proposals for Euro 7 regulations announced by the European Commission at the end of 2022, here’s a quick rundown of what you need to know.

What is a Euro emission standard?

The Euro emissions standards are regulations designed to limit exhaust emissions and protect the health of the general public and the environment. They affect every car sold in the UK and European Union – even after Brexit – which means that if a manufacturer wants to sell a car in these locations, they must adhere to the laws stated.

First introduced in 1992, the standards have undergone many revisions, getting tougher as the years go on and with the most recent iteration being Euro 6 in 2014. For reference, it was this toughening of the Euro emissions which inspired London’s ULEZ, which charges drivers of petrol cars that don’t meet Euro 4 (introduced in 2005) and diesels that don’t meet Euro 6 standards.

Importantly, petrol and diesel cars have different sets of rules to abide by due to having different types of fuel and how these are burnt. Meanwhile, there are also different Euro standards for cars and vans, and lorries and buses.  

When do Euro 7 rules come into force?

All new mass-produced cars will have to meet Euro 7 standards as of 1st July 2025. For small volume manufacturers, this deadline will be delayed until 2030.

What can we expect from the Euro 7 regulations?

While there had been rumours that the proposed regulations would be a lot stricter, it looks like they may be less stringent than many feared.

When it comes to exhaust emissions, Euro 7 standards will take the lowest limits from Euro 6, and apply them to all new cars, regardless of what fuel they run on. This means the emission limits for all motor vehicles will fall under a single set of rules – no matter if they’re petrol, diesel, hybrid or electric.

For example, the limit for nitrous oxide for under Euro 6 is 60 milligrams per kilometre for petrol cars, and 80 milligrams per kilometre for diesels. Under Euro 7, both petrol and diesel cars must emit no more than 60 milligrams.

Other notable changes introduced by Euro 7 include tougher testing procedures when assessing vehicles for pollutant levels, emission limits for tyres and brakes, longevity assessments for electric car batteries and checking vehicles’ compliance more regularly, particularly as they age.

How will this affect us?

What may appear as more boring legislation will inevitably affect us all at some point. It may lead to higher car prices for those who are looking to buy a new petrol or diesel vehicle due to the need for emissions-reducing technology and emissions testing that manufacturers will have to consider against their profit margins. 

And, yes, while there’s the ban on new petrol and diesel cars coming to the UK from 2030, and 2035 for the European Union, second-hand cars will still be on the road. It takes around 14 years for a car to reach scrapping point and that means Euro 7 cars could well be on the road in the 2040s.

As for Low Emission Zones? There’s no indication that the introduction of Euro 7 rules will see rules changed for emission zones. However, with more and more LEZs cropping up across the UK, it’s worth keeping an eye out in future.

 

If you enjoyed this blog, you might also enjoy:

Header image credit: Anouk Fotografeert via Unsplash.com