EU agrees on new emissions standard for cars

Driving in Europe just got cleaner, thanks to the EU's latest agreement on vehicle emissions standards. Known as Euro 7, this new regulation aims to slash pollutants that harm the environment and our health.

The European Parliament and EU member states agreed on this groundbreaking measure in Brussels, and once officially accepted, it will impact cars, buses, and other transport vehicles across the continent.

Some key updates include setting new limit values for brake and tire abrasion – factors that contribute to harmful substances like particulate matter. This means all vehicles, even the ones running on alternative fuels like electric power or hydrogen, will have to adhere to the regulations.

Until now, Euro standards have primarily focused on exhaust gases. Euro 6, for instance, regulated emissions of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, particulates, hydrocarbons, and methane for trucks and buses. Studies show that road traffic was responsible for nearly 40% of harmful NOx emissions in 2018 (47% in cities), and 11% of total PM10 emissions (particulate matter).

The Euro 7 standard will correct this, tackling not only exhaust gases butalso non-exhaust pollutants like tire particles and brake dust. This shift will require automotive manufacturers to upgrade their designs and technologies to meet stringer standards, addressing the growing concern for the environment.

Additional Insights:

The Euro 7 emissions standard targets both traditional fossil fuel automobiles and alternative fuel vehicles, ensuring a cleaner and greener transportation sector.
The new standard introduces unified regulations for light and heavy-duty vehicles, with stricter standards for buses and trucks compared to cars and vans.
In addition to reducing exhaust emissions, Euro 7 focuses on controlling non-exhaust emissions, particularly solid particles and brake dust, which contribute to microplastic pollution and can be harmful when inhaled.
The new regulations mandate a longer compliance period of up to 10 years or 200,000 kilometers (124,000 miles) for vehicles, ensuring they remain pollution-free over the vehicle's lifetime.
To account for various driving conditions, Euro 7 testing extends beyond laboratory scenarios to include short trips and extreme temperatures.
Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids will undergo battery testing to ensure they maintain at least 80% of their original capacity after five years or 60,000 miles, and 72% after eight years or 100,000 miles.

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