Euro 7 Regulation- What is it?
Euro regulations are standars set by the European Union to regulate and control pollutant emissions from vehicles. These regulations set maxium permissible limits for various pollutants.
In April 2024, the EU approved the new Euro 7 regulation, which updates EU emissions standards for new vehicles sold within the European Union, with the aim of reducing air pollution.
This regulation will affect passenger cars, vans, commercial vehicles and bueses, with distinctions made based on engine types. So far, limits have only been set for passenger cars and vans. Limits for vehicles >3,500kg, trucks and buses have not yet been set but will be determines in the future.
Dates of application
Euro 7 will be applicable to newly launched passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (M1 and N1) from 29 November 2026. From 29 November 2027, it will also apply to passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (M1 and N1) already in production.
Main aspects:
Gas emissions:
Euro 7 maintains the maximum gas emission limits set by Euro 6-D.
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- CO2: 120g/km for petrol vehicles and 90g/km for diesel vehicles.
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- NOx 60mg/km for petrol vehicles and 80mg/km, for diesel.
Particle emissions from tyres and brakes:
For the first time, European regulations will limit particle emissions from brakes (pads + discs), as well as tyres. Euro 7 will apply to all vehicles, including electric vehicles.
Euro 7 indicates that brake particle emissions must be tested according to the UN Global Technical Regulation No. 24 on brake emissions.
This UN GTR uses the World Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) to measure characterise emissions. This UN procedure, as expected, does not define emission limit values.
The Euro 7 regulation establishes:
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- The homologation test shall be carried out on a dynamometer, according to the WLTP procedure mentioned above.
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- As of today, the emission limit for PM10 (particles smaller than or equal to 10 µm) is as follows:
M1: Vehicles used for carriage of passengers, comprising not more than eight seats in addition to the driver's.
N1: Vehicles used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes. This category is divided into 3 classes based on weight: N1-I (mass <1,305 kg), N1-II (from 1,305 to 1,760 kg), or N1-III (from 1,760 to 3,500 kg).
N2, M3: Vehicles used for the carriage of passengers, comprising more than eight seats in addition to the driver's.
N2, N3: Vehicles used for the carriage of goods and having a maximum mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes.
PEV: Pure Electric Vehicle.
OVC-HEV: Off-vehicle charging hybrid electric vehicle, hybrid electric vehicles that can be charged from an external source.
NOVC-HEV: Not off-vehicle charging hybrid electric vehicle, cannot be charged from an external source.
FCV / FCVH: Fuel cell vehicle / Fuel cell hybrid vehicle.
ICEV: Pure internal combustion engine vehicle, including hydrogen powered ones.
Lifetime requirements:
Manufacturers are required to maintain this level of emissions for longer in the life of the vehicle, going from 5 years or 100,000 kilometres, to 10 years or 200,000 kilometres with Euro 7.
Requirements for electric batteries durability:
Electric batteries must maintain 80% of their capacity until 5 years or 100,000 kilometres and 72% of their capacity until 8 years or 160,000 kilometres.
New Environmental Vehicle Passport-EVP:
All new vehicles will be required to have an environmental passport in digital form, to make the information available to users. Passport must contain information on the environmental performance of the vehicle at the moment of registration, including the level of pollutant emission limits, CO2 emissions, fuel consumption, electric energy consumption, electric range and engine or electric motor power, and battery durability and other related values.
How will this affect the aftermarket?
For the time being, Euro 7 only affects the brake pads and discs used on the assembly line. The regulation to be imposed on AM manufacturer is still to be decides, but it seems that the total fleet of vehicles will be divided by families (criteria still to be defined).
ICER BRAKES is part of a working group of the FEMFM (Federation of European Manufacturers of Friction Materials), which is working on the definition of the families that affect the AM
ICER BRAKES is taking numerous actions, both in terms of monitoring and studying the Euro 7 regulation, as well as developing multiple products to help comply with it:
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- Membership of the Emissions Specialist Committee of the FEMFM (European Federation of Friction Materials Manufacturers).
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- Current participation in several European projects (NEEVE & Eureka) to develop solutions that help to comply with the regulation:
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·Brake disc with plasma spraying treatment + NAO material
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·Brake disc with laser cladding treatment + NAO material
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·Brake disc with NFC nitrocarburising treatment + NAO material
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- Direct collaboration with different disc treatment companies in order to develop a material that can work with their ‘anti-emission’ solutions:
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- Development of an in-house PM10 particle measurement system in our testing facilities, which, together with the already implemented WLTP test, will enable the development of materials that comply with the Euro 7 regulations.
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- External execution of several WLTP tests, with the dual objective of:
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·First, understanding the current state of their friction materials regarding PM10 particle emissions
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·Developing the aforementioned solutions
At ICER BRAKES, we stay up to date with the most demanding regulations such as Euro 7 and we remain committed to innovation and the development of sustainable solutions. Our goal is to anticipate and be prepared for future regulations, always ensuring products that meet the highest environmental standards.