Starting November 29, 2026, all newly registered vehicles in the UK are mandated to adhere to more stringent emissions criteria as per a new regulation. The Euro 7 standard is aimed at reducing harmful pollutants and pollution from sources beyond exhaust emissions like tyre particles and brake dust, applying to new vehicles, including electric ones.
Under this regulation, cars must emit lower levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and must comply with set limits for a longer period of either 10 years or 200,000 kilometers. This will have implications for UK manufacturers and the pricing of new vehicles.
The European Union is gearing up to enforce the Euro 7 standard, its most rigorous vehicle emissions policy yet, in a bid to curb CO2 and other emissions from vehicles. These regulations establish permissible thresholds for exhaust emissions in new light-duty vehicles sold in EU and EEA member nations, with the objective of decreasing the environmental impact of transportation, responsible for up to 28% of total CO2 emissions in the UK.
Emissions standards trace back to 1970, commencing with the first EU-wide standard, Euro 1, introduced in 1992, which mandated catalytic converters in new cars. Subsequent standards led to the current Euro 6, rolled out by September 2015.
Vehicle emissions significantly contribute to local air pollution and global greenhouse gas emissions. Locally, pollutants such as NOx and particulate matter are linked to around seven million deaths globally due to poor air quality, as reported by the World Health Organization.
On a global scale, the European Environment Agency (EEA) estimates that transport accounts for approximately 25% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions, with up to 75% of that stemming from road transport.
The Euro 7 standard represents the seventh evolution of emissions standards, progressively becoming more strict to balance environmental protection with manufacturers’ ability to comply. Euro 7 is the most stringent standard yet, encompassing non-exhaust emissions and applying to all types of vehicles, including petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric cars, as well as vans, lorries, and buses.
Originally slated for mid-2025, the official implementation of the Euro 7 standard was postponed due to discussions on the stringency of the regulations. As per Regulation (EU) 2024/1257, Euro 7 will be phased in two main stages for light vehicles.
Other vehicle categories such as buses, trucks, and trailers will have separate deadlines for implementation in the future. Regarding the duration of Euro 7, the RAC suggests that the timeframe for the next stage of emissions standards is challenging to predict. Past standards have typically been in place for four to six years, indicating a similar duration for Euro 7.
Key features of the Euro 7 standard include the issuance of an environmental vehicle passport to every new vehicle upon registration, detailing its environmental performance. New vehicles are also mandated to adhere to the standards for a longer duration, with cars and vans required to maintain emissions below set limits for 10 years or 200,000 kilometers, doubling the durability requirement of Euro 6. Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids will undergo testing for battery degradation over time, with specific service-life thresholds for battery capacity retention.
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