Euro 7: changes in 6 months for your car fleets

How Euro 7 will make thermal vehicles more expensive for businesses

Before Euro 7, European vehicles had to comply with the Euro 6 standard. Gradually implemented since 2014, this regulation already set polluting emissions thresholds for thermal and hybrid cars.

It concerned in particular emissions of nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide and even fine particles released by engines.

The Euro 7 standard marks a significant break with the old Euro 6 regulations. From now on, approval tests will no longer be limited to laboratory conditions. Emissions will be monitored under real driving conditions.

Particles emitted by brakes and tires will also be included in the compliance criteria.

A recent analysis by Beev highlights that this new regulation will strongly increase the costs of developing thermal engines. Manufacturers will have to adapt their models to meet much stricter technical constraints.

“Euro 7 is not a simple update of the Euro 6 standard. It is a lasting change of framework… explains Solal Botbol, ​​co-founder and CEO of Beev.

For businesses, the consequences will be visible at the end of the year.

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From November 29, 2026, all new car and light utility vehicle models must be Euro 7 approved.

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A year later, only these models can still be marketed in Europe.

This development could increase the price of thermal vehicles from several hundred to 2,000 euros according to some industry experts. Delivery times may also lengthen on certain highly requested models.

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Fleet managers will therefore have to anticipate their renewals quickly. Companies that postpone their arbitrations could experience a significant increase in their acquisition costs in 2027.

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Euro 7 accelerates the place of electric in automobile fleets

This new regulation also favors electric vehicles. Euro 7 introduces for the first time precise requirements on the durability of batteries. Manufacturers will have to guarantee their performance over a much longer period.

Batteries must retain 80% of their capacity after 5 years or 100,000 kilometers. They must still display 70% capacity after 8 years or 160,000 kilometers. Some goals could even go up to 10 years or 200,000 kilometers.

This development could reassure companies still hesitant about electric vehicles. The residual value of vehicles should become more stable. Operating costs could also be better controlled in the long term.

“The challenge is not to change everything, but to segment uses…recalls Solal Botbol.

Companies will therefore have to adapt their automobile policies according to the real uses of employees. Urban journeys could become more electric. Long journeys would still have a place for certain thermal engines.

This transition could also strengthen the employer brand of companies. Employees are paying increasing attention to their employer’s environmental commitments. A more sustainable fleet is gradually becoming a criterion of attractiveness.

In brief: 7 points to remember about Euro 7 for businesses

1. Euro 7 comes into force from November 29, 2026 for new models.
2. Emissions from brakes and tires will now be controlled.
3. Thermal vehicles will cost more to produce and purchase.
4. Businesses will not need to immediately replace their current vehicles.
5. Electric batteries must retain up to 80% capacity after 100,000 kilometers.
6. Fleet renewal cycles will need to be rethought quickly.
7. Companies that anticipate now will limit their budgetary and operational risks.

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