AUTONEWS

Euro 7 norm: Owning a car will become a thing of the past for many

The new Euro 7 directive, which comes into force at the end of this year, is not just another environmental standard. It is a document that will fundamentally change the way we understand the automotive industry, the power of vehicles and, above all, the price we will pay for mobility.

While Euro 7 is being sold to us as a necessary step towards preserving the environment, a deeper analysis reveals an economic and technical scenario that could spell the end for affordable cars.

The biggest victims of the new rules will be cars from the "A" and "B" segments. Models that were until yesterday a symbol of affordability, such as the Dacia Sandero, are facing an existential crisis. According to expert estimates, the cost of adapting engines to the new norms, mandatory hybridization and the installation of sophisticated emission control systems (including particles produced by brake and tire wear) will increase the price of these vehicles by 5,000 to 6,000 euros.

This means that the "people's car" will cease to exist. Individual mobility is slowly ceasing to be a right and becoming a privilege of the rich.

Euro 7 emissions standards are standards that the European Union's regulatory body is implementing to reduce automotive pollution and increase the battery life of electric vehicles.

In December 2019, the European Commission announced the European Green Deal as its priority policy, establishing a roadmap for each industrial sector with the goal of making Europe the world's first carbon-neutral continent by 2050. As a concrete measure, the European Commission is discussing a policy package, "Fit for 55," to achieve a reduction of at least 55% in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.

GTR21 Protocol: The Magic of Numbers...One of the most controversial parts of the new regulations is the introduction of the GTR21 homologation protocol. This protocol is designed to standardize the measurement of power in hybrid and electric vehicles, but critics warn that it is far from reality.

The measurements are carried out in strictly controlled laboratory conditions, where the maximum engine power is measured at intervals of just 2 to 10 seconds. In the real world, the driver never uses the car in this way. The result is numbers that "on paper" look environmentally friendly and technically superior, but serve solely to meet bureaucratic quotas in Brussels.

A "perfect storm" for European manufacturers...The European auto industry is in an unenviable position. While domestic manufacturers (Volkswagen, Renault, Stellantis) are forced to invest billions in technology that makes their products more expensive, the door is wide open to competition from the East.

Chinese brands, such as BYD, are entering the market with electric cars that are already cheaper from the start because they do not bear the burden of the old industrial transformation and have direct access to raw materials for batteries. The result? The European will choose between an overpriced domestic hybrid and a slightly cheaper Chinese electric car, while traditional internal combustion engines will slowly disappear from the streets due to punitive taxes.

Mobility under control...The essence of Euro 7 and GTR21 is not just cleaner air. It is an instrument of economic policy that forces accelerated electrification, regardless of whether the infrastructure is ready or whether citizens can afford it.

The question that remains after reading the new regulations is not "how clean is my car", but "will I be able to afford the next one". Euro 7 will be a turning point after which car ownership will become just a memory of some bygone era for many.

What the Euro 7 emission standards mean for brake particulate matter regulations...The specific limit values for brake emissions are 3 mg/km to 7 mg/km for passenger vehicles and 5 mg/km to 11 mg/km for light commercial vehicles. Electric vehicles are also regulated under the new standards due to the particulate matter produced from brake wear. These regulations will take effect from November 2026 for new vehicles. By November 2027, all vehicles on sale in Europe must meet the standards.

While the new brake emissions standards apply to only original equipment products, they will likely extend to Europe’s independent aftermarket through the ECE R90 certification. Aimed at prohibiting low-quality brakes in the market, the ECE R90 certification ensures replacement brake parts are safe and offer braking performance comparable to the original component.

Innovative braking technologies expand...In response, the automotive industry has begun developing new emission control technologies and advanced braking systems designed to reduce brake particulate matter and comply with Euro 7 emission standards. Companies are innovating and investing in materials research and testing to comply with the regulations.

Brembo has developed new Greentell discs and pads that reduce braking emissions by nearly 90%, making them compliant with the new norms. Showcased at Auto Shanghai 2025, the discs get a dual layer nickel-free coating applied through a laser beam technology called laser metal deposition. The process is said to increase resistance and durability of the disc. Brembo has also developed its own dust measurement test bench for the study of particulate emissions.

In November 2024, TMD Friction, a supplier of brake-friction solutions, announced an investment of €1.5 million in a new test bench to support Euro 7 emission standards compliance. The investment was aimed at reducing the time to market for new brake pads and reduce reliance on external agencies.

Nitrex, a furnace systems provider for brake manufacturers, has rolled out a technology called Smart ONC (nitrocarburizing with in-process controlled post-oxidation). It is a heat treatment process that enhances brake rotor surfaces by diffusing nitrogen and carbon into the metal. The process creates a hard oxide film that boosts corrosion resistance and wear, key factors in reducing brake dust and extending service life.

Laser technology firm Trotec Laser says the new Euro 7 emission standards not only target reduced braking emissions but also mandate continuous monitoring of brake disc conditions. The company offers laser-based wear marking on carbon-ceramic brake discs. A 100-watt picosecond laser creates precise markings without causing thermal stress to the material. 

Main Impacts of the Euro 7 Standard:

-Brake and tire emissions: Establishes strict limits for particulate emissions from brake and tire wear, affecting both combustion and electric vehicles due to their greater weight.

-Battery durability: Requires a minimum durability for electric vehicle batteries (minimum of 80% capacity up to 5 years or 100,000 km, and 72% up to 8 years or 160,000 km).

-Real-time monitoring: Introduces the use of on-board sensors to continuously monitor emissions and prevent fraud, such as the removal of particulate filters.

-Implementation timelines: The new rules for cars and light vans are expected to come into effect in November 2026 for new vehicle types, and for all new registrations in 2027.

-Alignment with the 2035 target: The standard aims to reduce air pollution in cities, aligning with the EU target of only selling zero-emission vehicles from 2035 onwards.

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