Euro 7 standard nears implementation

One month before the implementation of the Euro 7 standard, millions of French car owners are hesitating about their next new car. Between expensive fuel, tight car budgets, and changing purchase assistance programs that change almost every year, choosing a new car in 2026 already resembles a puzzle for many motorists. In just over a month, on November 29, 2026, a new element is added to the equation: the Euro 7 standard. And everyone is already wondering what this new rule will change for their next car. Thermal, hybrid, electric: the answers are not as obvious as one might think.

Euro 7 expands emissions regulation

The Euro standards have regulated the emissions of new cars sold in Europe for nearly thirty years. After Euro 6, in place since the mid-2010s, Euro 7 marks a change in philosophy. The future standard no longer only looks at what comes out of the exhaust pipe. It expands the control to brakes, tires, and the durability of batteries of electric models. One month before the first deadline, many buyers still do not know what this means for an order placed today.

Euro 7 covers more than exhaust emissions

Euro 7 is the new European regulation that sets the requirements in terms of pollutant emissions and durability that vehicles must meet. However, unlike what its name might suggest, it is not simply a "Euro 6 bis." It is a framework change that significantly expands what is measured, controlled, and required from a car throughout its lifespan. Until now, the regulation has mainly focused on emissions from the exhaust.

New requirements for car components

With Euro 7, the requirements go further: particles related to braking are now taken into account, tire wear enters the regulatory field, and the durability of electric car batteries is subject to specific requirements. For motorists, this means that the regulation no longer only concerns the pollution emitted by their vehicle, but also certain phenomena related to its use and the aging of its components.

Manufacturers face new costs

For manufacturers, these new requirements imply technical adaptations and could lead to additional development and homologation costs, which could have repercussions on the prices of new cars. The first Euro 7 requirements will apply to new types of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles starting November 29, 2026, before extending to all new vehicles in the categories starting November 29, 2027. Heavy vehicles will follow, with the first deadline for new types on May 29, 2028, and for all new vehicles on May 29, 2029.

Potential price increases expected

In the long term, this could result in a more restricted offer on certain models, additional development costs, and potentially a price increase for purchases. For now, official estimates suggest an average additional cost of between 90 and 150 euros per gasoline car. For diesel cars, the announced range is from 150 to 300 euros per vehicle. The automotive industry even mentions, for some models, an increase between 200 and 500 euros. These figures remain to be confirmed, but they could influence the resale value of the affected models.

New durability standards for thermal cars

For thermal cars, Euro 7 mainly means more monitored and durable pollution systems. Their efficiency must be guaranteed for about ten years or 200,000 km, which is much longer than with Euro 6. Some manufacturers may abandon less profitable engine configurations, leading to a reduced offer and higher prices. The homologation standard does not make cars already in circulation illegal. Their future will mainly depend on Crit'Air stickers and the restriction calendars in low-emission zones.

Battery durability becomes a standard

For electric and plug-in hybrid cars, the change mainly concerns the battery. The standard does not only focus on pollutant emissions; it also introduces precise European requirements on battery durability and provides for monitoring their health status. For private electric and plug-in hybrid cars, Euro 7 provides that after 5 years or 100,000 km, the battery must still retain at least 80% of its initial energy capacity. Between 5 and 8 years, or between 100,000 and 160,000 km, this threshold drops to 72%.

Battery performance as a regulatory measure

The battery's ability to maintain its performance over time becomes a regulatory criterion, allowing for better comparison of electric cars. These provisions can help reassure motorists who are still hesitating to switch to electric, especially due to concerns about rapid battery degradation or significant loss of autonomy. This can reassure part of the buyers and influence the perception of the lifespan and value of electric models, at a time when each purchase decision counts a bit more than before.