• New Euro 7 regulations move beyond tailpipe emissions to particle emissions from tyres and brakes
• Euro 7 requires emissions compliance for up to 10 years or 200,000 km (125,000 miles)
• Fleet operators will need to re-evaluate service, maintenance and repair (SMR) strategies
• Fleet operators need to reconsider service, maintenance, and repair (SMR) strategies in light of the forthcoming change to Euro 7 regulations, according to i247 Group.
EURO 7 comes into effect from 29 November 2026. It applies to all new passenger car and light commercial vehicle types (new model approvals) sold or registered from November 2027.
The new Euro 7 legislation regulates non-exhaust emissions for the first time, bringing brake and tyre emissions into scope and highlighting the growing environmental impact of particulate pollution beyond exhaust emissions.
Brake wear and tyre particulates will be measured under new standardised testing procedures with emission limits applying across all drivetrains. This includes electric vehicles (EVs), whose increased battery weight may lead to accelerated tyre and brake wear. EV batteries will also be tested for durability as part of the new legislation.
i247 Group, a leading provider of technology driven fleet management solutions, says the new regulations represent a significant change for fleet maintenance management – shifting greater compliance responsibility onto SMR practices and procurement.
David Legg, Director of Propositions and Partnerships for i247 Group, commented:
“Euro 7 requires UK fleets to think differently about emissions compliance and SMR. For years, fleet emission strategies have centred on powertrain selection. Euro 7 significantly broadens that compliance responsibility by including tyres and brakes.
“The new regulation spotlights the importance of robust SMR strategies and procurement decisions – particularly where low-cost aftermarket tyres and brakes may differ from OEM-approved versions in durability. Tyre selection will need to evolve beyond traditional considerations, such as cost, mileage and rolling resistance, to include abrasion performance, vehicle weight impact and alignment with Euro 7 specifications.”
i247 Group highlights that the Euro 7 changes are most likely to impact light commercial vehicles (LCVs), including urban delivery fleets operating intensive, multi-drop cycles that place high stress on tyres and braking systems. Strong maintenance discipline, load management and tyre selection by duty cycle will become increasingly important in protecting both compliance and vehicle residual values.
The legislation also requires vehicles to remain emissions-compliant for up to 10 years or 200,000 kilometres (approx. 125,000 miles), doubling previous durability expectations and creating new challenges for high mileage fleets.
According to i247 Group,s fleets should start preparing for the introduction of Euro 7 now. Legg provides this advice:
“Fleet operators that prepare early for Euro 7 will be in a much stronger position to control costs, protect uptime and manage long-term vehicle performance. Our advice to fleets is to start engaging with OEMs, leasing providers and SMR partners now for Euro 7 readiness.
“Whole-life cost modelling, procurement strategies and SMR networks will all need closer scrutiny under Euro 7, particularly for high-utilisation fleets. Optimising operational strategies will also be key to tighter emissions compliance – whether that’s tyre inflation monitoring, wheel alignment controls, preventative brake inspections or reducing uneven wear patterns.”
Legg added that i247 Group was anticipating increased demand for proactive maintenance technologies and predictive maintenance management, enabling fleets to minimise compliance risk, protect vehicle uptime and contain operating costs.
Image: Virrage Images on Shutterstock
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