European emission standards

The European emission standards are vehicle emission standards that regulate pollution from the use of new land vehicles sold in the European Union and European Economic Area member states and the United Kingdom, and ships in European territorial waters. These standards target air pollution from exhaust gases, brake dust, and tyre rubber pollution, and are defined through a series of European Union directives that progressively introduced stricter limits to reduce environmental impact.

Euro 7, agreed in 2024 and came into force in 2026, includes non-exhaust emissions such as particulates from tyres and brakes. Until 2030 fossil fueled vehicles are allowed to have dirtier brakes than electric vehicles.

Background

In the European Union, emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), total hydrocarbon (THC), non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) are regulated for most vehicle types, including cars, trucks (lorries), locomotives, tractors and similar machinery, barges, but excluding seagoing ships and aeroplanes. For each vehicle type, different standards apply. Compliance is determined by running the engine at a standardised test cycle. Non-compliant vehicles cannot be sold in the EU, but new standards do not apply to vehicles already on the roads. No use of specific technologies is mandated to meet the standards, though available technology is considered when setting the standards. New models introduced must meet current or planned standards, but minor lifecycle model revisions may continue to be offered with pre-compliant engines.