Starting November 29, 2026, all newly registered vehicles in the UK must adhere to stricter emissions standards outlined in the new Euro 7 regulation. This rule is aimed at reducing harmful pollutants and pollution from sources beyond exhaust emissions, such as tyre particles and brake dust, impacting various vehicle types, including electric cars.
Under this regulation, cars are required to emit lower levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and must maintain compliance for an extended period of 10 years or 200,000 kilometers. The implementation of Euro 7 will have implications for UK manufacturers and new car prices.
The European Union is gearing up to enforce the Euro 7 standard, its most stringent vehicle emissions guideline yet, as a significant measure to curb CO2 and other pollutants emitted by vehicles. These regulations set out permissible levels for exhaust emissions in new light-duty vehicles sold in EU and EEA member states, with the aim of reducing the impact of transportation, which contributes up to 28% of total CO2 emissions in the UK.
Dating back to 1970, emissions standards have evolved over the years, with Euro 1 as the initial EU-wide standard in 1992, followed by subsequent standards leading to the current Euro 6, introduced by September 2015.
Vehicle emissions play a significant role in both local air pollution and global greenhouse gas emissions. Locally, pollutants like NOx and particulate matter are linked to approximately seven million deaths worldwide due to poor air quality, according to the World Health Organization.
On a global scale, the European Environment Agency estimates that transportation accounts for around 25% of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions, with up to 75% stemming from road transport.
Euro 7 represents the latest evolution in emissions standards, striving to strike a balance between environmental protection and manufacturers’ ability to comply. It is the strictest standard yet, encompassing non-exhaust emissions and applying to a wide range of vehicles, including petrol, diesel, hybrid, and electric cars, as well as vans, lorries, and buses.
Initially slated for mid-2025, the official rollout of Euro 7 was delayed due to debates surrounding the stringency of the regulations. As per Regulation (EU) 2024/1257, the Euro 7 standard will be implemented in two primary stages for light vehicles, with separate timelines for buses, trucks, and trailers.
An environmental vehicle passport will be issued to each new vehicle upon registration, detailing its environmental performance. Additionally, new vehicles must uphold compliance with the standards for a longer duration, requiring emissions to stay below the limits for 10 years or 200,000 kilometers, doubling the durability expectation of Euro 6.
Furthermore, electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids will undergo battery testing to assess degradation over time, with specific service-life requirements. The batteries are expected to retain 80% of their original capacity after five years or 60,000 miles, and 72% after eight years or 100,000 miles.
