Euro 7 Regulation

Introduction

Regulation (EU) 2024/1257, commonly known as Euro 7, is a major legislative act that harmonizes and tightens the rules for type-approval of motor vehicles regarding emissions and battery durability. It replaces the separate frameworks for light-duty vehicles (Euro 6, Regulation (EC) No 715/2007) and heavy-duty vehicles (Euro VI, Regulation (EC) No 595/2009) into a single legal instrument. This regulation is part of the European Green Deal and the EU's zero-pollution ambition.

Main Goal

The primary objective is to further reduce air pollution from road transport to meet air quality standards and protect human health and the environment. Specifically, it aims to:

• Lower exhaust emissions (NOx, particulate matter, etc.) from internal combustion engines.
• Introduce limits for non-exhaust emissions, specifically particles from brakes and microplastics from tyres.
• Set minimum performance requirements for battery durability in electric and hybrid vehicles to increase consumer trust and resource efficiency.

Who It Applies To

This regulation applies to manufacturers (OEMs) of:

• Light-duty vehicles (Cars and Vans: Categories M1, N1).
• Heavy-duty vehicles (Trucks and Buses: Categories M2, M3, N2, N3).
• Trailers (Categories O3, O4).
• Engines, systems, components, and separate technical units (including tyres and replacement pollution control systems) intended for such vehicles.

Key Provisions

• Unified Standards: Brings light and heavy-duty vehicle requirements under one regulation.
• Pollutant Limits: Sets strict limits for pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), particulate matter (PM10), particle number (PN10), carbon monoxide (CO), ammonia (NH3), and others.
• Non-Exhaust Emissions: Introduces the first-ever EU limits for brake particle emissions and tyre abrasion rates.
• Battery Durability: Mandates minimum performance requirements for the State of Health (SoH) of traction batteries in electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
• Environmental Vehicle Passport (EVP): Requires an EVP for each vehicle, containing data on environmental performance, fuel/energy consumption, and battery health.
• On-Board Monitoring (OBM): Vehicles must be equipped with OBM systems to detect exhaust emission exceedances and communicate data.
• Lifetime Compliance: Compliance is required for a defined lifetime (e.g., up to 160,000 km or 8 years for cars, higher for trucks), extended by durability multipliers.

Key Dates & Timeline

• Entry into Force: 28 May 2024.
• Application for Cars/Vans (M1, N1): 29 November 2026 (new types), 29 November 2027 (new registrations).
• Application for Trucks/Buses (M2, M3, N2, N3): 29 May 2028 (new types), 29 May 2029 (new registrations).
• Tyre Provisions: Phased implementation starting July 2028.

Exemptions

• Small-Volume Manufacturers: Specific derogations and delayed application dates (starting July 2030 for M1/N1) apply to manufacturers producing fewer than 10,000 cars or 22,000 vans per year.
• Ultra-Small-Volume Manufacturers: Allowed to use alternative testing methods based on random real-driving cycles.

Penalties

The regulation utilizes the penalty framework established in Regulation (EU) 2018/858. Member States must lay down effective, proportionate, and dissuasive penalties for infringements, such as:

• Falsifying test results.
• Use of manipulation devices or strategies (defeat devices).
• Tampering with pollution control or monitoring systems.
• Failure to provide access to information.