News
What is Euro 7 emissions standard?
Stricter emission standards may affect the next car you buy. Find out what the proposed Euro 7 emissions standard are and when do they come into effect.
Words by: Andrew Woodhouse
Additional words by: Nimisha Jain
Last updated on 10 September 2024 | 0 min read
Emissions standards are designed to improve the quality of the air we breathe by reducing the emissions our vehicles produce.
Introduced as Euro 1 in 1992, emission standards define the acceptable limits of exhaust emissions for new cars in EU member states. Emissions standards have evolved over the years to include more vehicle types as well as stricter limits on the level of permissible NOx, carbon monoxide and particulate matter. These standards push manufacturers towards producing greener and cleaner vehicles, as any cars that don’t meet the emission standards cannot be sold in the EU. Manufacturers currently work to Euro 6 Emission Standards, but Euro 7 will be rolled out in 2025. Here’s what that means for you.
Introduced as Euro 1 in 1992, emission standards define the acceptable limits of exhaust emissions for new cars in EU member states. Emissions standards have evolved over the years to include more vehicle types as well as stricter limits on the level of permissible NOx, carbon monoxide and particulate matter. These standards push manufacturers towards producing greener and cleaner vehicles, as any cars that don’t meet the emission standards cannot be sold in the EU. Manufacturers currently work to Euro 6 Emission Standards, but Euro 7 will be rolled out in 2025. Here’s what that means for you.
What are Euro 7 emissions standards?
Euro 7 is a new emissions standard which aims to build upon the existing Euro 6 standard making it more effective.
It is going to be even stricter than the previous Euro 6 and will be the first to include non-exhaust emissions like pollutants from brakes and tyres. These new standards will apply to all petrol and diesel cars, vans, lorries and buses. While the proposal is yet to be confirmed by the European Parliament, it’s due to start from July 2025 onwards. The expected results from this new emissions standard are a 35% reduction in NOx emissions from cars and vans, and 56% fewer emissions from lorries and buses, along with a 13% reduction in tailpipe emissions from cars and vans, and 27% lower emissions from lorries and buses. The key features of Euro 7 include: 1. Broader emission limits: Euro 7 will impose stricter limits on emissions across all vehicles, whether they are powered by petrol, diesel, or electric batteries. 2. Non-exhaust emissions: For the first time, Euro standards will address non-exhaust emissions, such as those from brake dust and tyre particles – both of which contribute to microplastic pollution. 3. Real-world driving conditions: Euro 7 standards aim to better reflect real-world driving conditions by covering a broader range of scenarios. Vehicles will be tested under various temperatures (up to 45 degrees Celsius) and during short journeys to ensure they remain compliant. 4. Extended compliance periods: Under Euro 7, vehicles will need to comply with emissions standards for a longer period. Cars and vans will be required to meet these standards for 10 years or 200,000 kilometres, double the current requirements under Euro 6. This extended compliance period also applies to lorries and buses, helping to ensure vehicles remain cleaner for longer. 5. Battery testing for electric vehicles: Euro 7 will include electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, testing the longevity and performance of their batteries to ensure they maintain their capacity over time.
It is going to be even stricter than the previous Euro 6 and will be the first to include non-exhaust emissions like pollutants from brakes and tyres. These new standards will apply to all petrol and diesel cars, vans, lorries and buses. While the proposal is yet to be confirmed by the European Parliament, it’s due to start from July 2025 onwards. The expected results from this new emissions standard are a 35% reduction in NOx emissions from cars and vans, and 56% fewer emissions from lorries and buses, along with a 13% reduction in tailpipe emissions from cars and vans, and 27% lower emissions from lorries and buses. The key features of Euro 7 include: 1. Broader emission limits: Euro 7 will impose stricter limits on emissions across all vehicles, whether they are powered by petrol, diesel, or electric batteries. 2. Non-exhaust emissions: For the first time, Euro standards will address non-exhaust emissions, such as those from brake dust and tyre particles – both of which contribute to microplastic pollution. 3. Real-world driving conditions: Euro 7 standards aim to better reflect real-world driving conditions by covering a broader range of scenarios. Vehicles will be tested under various temperatures (up to 45 degrees Celsius) and during short journeys to ensure they remain compliant. 4. Extended compliance periods: Under Euro 7, vehicles will need to comply with emissions standards for a longer period. Cars and vans will be required to meet these standards for 10 years or 200,000 kilometres, double the current requirements under Euro 6. This extended compliance period also applies to lorries and buses, helping to ensure vehicles remain cleaner for longer. 5. Battery testing for electric vehicles: Euro 7 will include electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids, testing the longevity and performance of their batteries to ensure they maintain their capacity over time.
Euro 6 vs Euro 7: Key differences
There are some key changes proposed for the new Euro 7 emissions standard to help combat air pollution even further.
• While Euro 6 focuses on tailpipe emissions, the new Euro 7 will also include limits on tyre and brakes emissions to help reduce microplastic waste. • Under the Euro 7 standards, a broader range of driving conditions will be covered such as hotter temperatures and short driving distances to make it match real-life driving situations. • The new permissible pollution levels will be subject to all cars and vans, regardless of the fuel type. • While there are currently different emission standards for cars and vans (Euro 6), and lorries and buses (Euro VI), Euro 7 aims to regulate all vehicles under one emissions standard to make things easier moving forward. This will apply the same limits on all vehicles, regardless of which type they are. • Under Euro 6, cars and vans must comply with the rules at least for the first five years and until they’ve completed 100,000 km. Euro 7 will double the compliance requirement to 10 years and 200,000 kilometres for cars and vans, and a similar increase for lorries and buses. • Euro 7 also looks at improving electric vehicles – especially their batteries. There will be requirements for batteries to work effectively for a set period of time to increase consumer confidence in the durability of EVs. • Euro 7 will also consider new vehicle technologies to make vehicles tamper-proof and to help with measuring emissions easily.
• While Euro 6 focuses on tailpipe emissions, the new Euro 7 will also include limits on tyre and brakes emissions to help reduce microplastic waste. • Under the Euro 7 standards, a broader range of driving conditions will be covered such as hotter temperatures and short driving distances to make it match real-life driving situations. • The new permissible pollution levels will be subject to all cars and vans, regardless of the fuel type. • While there are currently different emission standards for cars and vans (Euro 6), and lorries and buses (Euro VI), Euro 7 aims to regulate all vehicles under one emissions standard to make things easier moving forward. This will apply the same limits on all vehicles, regardless of which type they are. • Under Euro 6, cars and vans must comply with the rules at least for the first five years and until they’ve completed 100,000 km. Euro 7 will double the compliance requirement to 10 years and 200,000 kilometres for cars and vans, and a similar increase for lorries and buses. • Euro 7 also looks at improving electric vehicles – especially their batteries. There will be requirements for batteries to work effectively for a set period of time to increase consumer confidence in the durability of EVs. • Euro 7 will also consider new vehicle technologies to make vehicles tamper-proof and to help with measuring emissions easily.
How Euro emissions standards have evolved
The Euro standards have become progressively stricter over time, reducing the permissible levels of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), and particulate matter (PM) in vehicle exhausts.
• Euro 1 (1992): Introduced the first mandatory catalytic converters and required vehicles to use unleaded petrol, marking the start of cleaner motoring. • Euro 2 (1997): Tightened restrictions on vehicle emissions but retained the basic framework established by Euro 1. • Euro 3 (2001): Brought in changes to reduce carbon monoxide and diesel particulate emissions, along with modifications to vehicle test procedures. • Euro 4 (2005): Significantly cut emissions of particulate matter, which led to a greater emphasis on diesel engine regulations. • Euro 5 (2011): Introduced particulate filters for diesel vehicles, helping to reduce the release of harmful particulates, especially in urban areas. • Euro 6 (2015): Set even stricter limits on NOx emissions from diesel engines, introduced Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology, and extended regulations to all vehicle types
• Euro 1 (1992): Introduced the first mandatory catalytic converters and required vehicles to use unleaded petrol, marking the start of cleaner motoring. • Euro 2 (1997): Tightened restrictions on vehicle emissions but retained the basic framework established by Euro 1. • Euro 3 (2001): Brought in changes to reduce carbon monoxide and diesel particulate emissions, along with modifications to vehicle test procedures. • Euro 4 (2005): Significantly cut emissions of particulate matter, which led to a greater emphasis on diesel engine regulations. • Euro 5 (2011): Introduced particulate filters for diesel vehicles, helping to reduce the release of harmful particulates, especially in urban areas. • Euro 6 (2015): Set even stricter limits on NOx emissions from diesel engines, introduced Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology, and extended regulations to all vehicle types
How long will Euro 7 be in place?
Based on the lifespan of other Euro emission standards, Euro 7 should be in place for the next five to 10 years.
Euro 7 checker
You can find your car’s Euro emissions level in its V5C document.
If a car has been registered on or after 1st March 2001, you can check the CO2 emissions and find out whether a car complies with the Euro emissions standards on the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) website (external link). Simply fill in the car’s basic details such as the car’s make, model and fuel type to access that specific car's CO2 emissions data from the VCA's database. Currently, Euro 6 emission standards are being followed, so you can check if your car is Euro 6 compliant and whether it meets the following criteria or not. Learn more about the current Euro 6 emissions standard and how cars are lab tested using WLTP and RDE to find out their emission levels. On Auto Trader, we have various search filters such as for CO2 emissions, fuel consumption and tax groups, that can help make your search for a compliant car easier. So browse today and find your dream car on Auto Trader.
If a car has been registered on or after 1st March 2001, you can check the CO2 emissions and find out whether a car complies with the Euro emissions standards on the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) website (external link). Simply fill in the car’s basic details such as the car’s make, model and fuel type to access that specific car's CO2 emissions data from the VCA's database. Currently, Euro 6 emission standards are being followed, so you can check if your car is Euro 6 compliant and whether it meets the following criteria or not. Learn more about the current Euro 6 emissions standard and how cars are lab tested using WLTP and RDE to find out their emission levels. On Auto Trader, we have various search filters such as for CO2 emissions, fuel consumption and tax groups, that can help make your search for a compliant car easier. So browse today and find your dream car on Auto Trader.