The new Euro 7 Standard: What you need to know

The new Euro 7 Standard: What you need to know

Europe has a new rule for big trucks and lorries, called Euro 7. This rule replaces the old one (Euro 6) and is much stricter about pollution. The new rule will check for more types of pollution, test trucks while they are driving on real roads (not just in a test lab), and make sure the truck stays clean for its entire life, not just when it's new.

This is a very big change, and it brings up many questions for truck owners. When do these new rules start? What new things will be tested? How will the government check the trucks? And can you still buy a Euro 6 truck? In this post, we will answer these important questions to help you understand what Euro 7 means for your business.

Why Is Euro 7 Being Introduced?

While previous Euro norms have been introduced regularly since the early 1990s - each one pushing vehicle manufacturers to adopt cleaner, more environmentally friendly technologies and steadily tightening limits on engine-related emissions - Euro 7 goes a step further to address several industry and environmental priorities:

✅ Cleaner air and public health
✅ Better real-world testing, not just lab results
✅ Long-term emission durability across vehicle life
✅ Coverage of previously unregulated emissions like tyre and brake particles

When will euro 7 vehicles be launched?

The Euro 7 regulation for heavy-duty trucks, vans and trailers is being rolled out in phases. Key dates:

  • For new type approvals (i.e., new models): from 29 May 2028 the Euro 7 rules will apply for heavy-duty vehicles.

  • For all new vehicles (i.e., when you buy a vehicle of that type): from 29 May 2029 the Euro 7 limits must be met.

  • These dates may shift slightly depending on vehicle category or country, but this gives a solid planning timeline.

There is some information about brands and engine / vehicle manufacturers preparing for Euro 7 (or future equivalent heavy-duty standards). However, full public model launch dates specifically branded as “Euro 7 heavy-duty compliant” are still limited.

What will Euro 7 regulate?

Commercial trucks will face stricter control of:

  • Nitrogen oxides (NOx)

  • Particulate matter (PM)

  • Hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide

  • [NEW] Tyre abrasion (limits to microplastic pollution)

  • [NEW] Brake particulate emissions

  • [NEW] Nitrous oxide (N₂O) and Ammonia (NH₃)

  • [NEW] EV battery durability

  • [NEW] Lifetime emission compliance via on-board monitoring

What tests does a Euro 7 vehicle must pass?

Before any new vehicle model can be sold, it must pass a comprehensive set of Euro 7 approval tests. This means the manufacturer must prove the vehicle meets the new standards.

The previous Euro 6 rules were easier to "game" because testing was predictable. The Euro 7 tests are now much broader and cover a wider range of "real-world" conditions, including:

  • Cold Starts: Emissions are measured from the moment the engine is turned on. This is critical for urban delivery trucks (like a Volvo FL) that make many stops and starts, as the emission control system (SCR) may not be at its optimal temperature.

  • Short Trips: The test now includes short journeys, mimicking urban delivery routes.

  • Low-Load Driving: The system must remain clean even when "idling" or in stop-and-go traffic, a major source of urban NOx pollution.

  • Wide Range of Conditions: Testing is expanded to include extreme temperatures (from -10°C to 45°C), high altitudes, and aggressive driving.

This means that a tractor unit like a MAN TGX (long-haul) must now prove it is just as clean as a Volvo FL (urban) during the low-speed, cold-start, or low-load portions of its test. Manufacturers cannot optimize an engine only for highway driving; it must be clean across all conditions.

How does Euro 7 guarantee that the vehicle stays compliant?

This is another major change. To ensure vehicles remain clean throughout their operational life, Euro 7 mandates that all trucks be equipped with an On-Board Monitoring (OBM) system, which will act as a continuous "watchdog" on the vehicle's emissions.

  • How long will the OBM monitor the vehicle: Depending on the vehicle category, there are different requirements for how long the OBM must work:
Vehicle categoryLifetime Requirement (whichever comes first)
Light commercial / vans (N1, M2)Up to 200 000 km or 10 years.
Medium commercial / smaller heavy-duty (N2, N3 ≤ 16 t, M3 ≤ 7.5 t)Up to 375 000 km or 10 years.
Heavy commercial / large heavy-duty (N3 > 16 t, M3 > 7.5 t)Up to 875 000 km or 15 years.

  • What Sensors Monitor: The OBM system uses a network of advanced sensors and models to continuously measure the actual pollutants coming out of the exhaust pipe. This includes:

    • NOx (Nitrogen Oxides) sensors.

    • Ammonia (NH3) sensors (a new requirement to detect "ammonia slip" from the AdBlue/SCR system).

    • Particulate Matter (PM) sensors.

    • It also monitors the performance of key components like the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and the SCR system itself.

  • How it Enforces Compliance: If the OBM system detects that the truck's real-world emissions are exceeding the legal limits, or if a sensor fails, it will trigger a warning light for the driver and store a fault code. This forces the operator to get the vehicle repaired to remain compliant.

Finally, governments and authorities will use this OBM data for enforcement. Data will be read during inspections or servicing via the OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) port to check for any emission-related faults, tampering, or non-compliance. The data can also be read during a random roadside check.

Will I still be able to buy Euro 6 trucks?

Yes - at least for a while.

Euro 7 rules for heavy-duty trucks start in 2028 for new models, and in 2029 for all new trucks being sold. This means that until those dates, manufacturers can still sell new Euro 6 trucks.

However, once Euro 7 fully applies, brands will soon stop offering Euro 6 models, because all new trucks will need to meet the Euro 7 standards. So Euro 6 trucks will become harder to find as we get closer to 2028–2029.

Also, some countries may bring extra rules or incentives that make Euro 7 trucks more attractive, especially in low-emission zones or for tax benefits.

As the industry prepares for Euro 7, finding the right truck for your current needs is more important than ever. At TheTruckCompany, we have a wide range of high-quality used vehicles, often including the latest Euro 6 tractor heads, trucks, and vans.

Whether you're looking for one of the most fuel-efficient models on the market or a reliable truck with an older Euro norm that optimizes your total cost of ownership, our specialists can help. Talk to us today to find the best solution for your business.

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Sources: REGULATION (EU) 2024/1257 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL