Coalition urges EU to not delay implementing the Euro 7 framework for heavy-duty vehicles
A coalition of European and international organisations has sent a letter to EU policymakers expressing concerns about the recent proposals to postpone the implementation of the Euro 7 framework for heavy-duty vehicles, brake dust, and tyre abrasion.
On 16 December 2025, the European Commission published the Automotive Omnibus as part of a broader automotive package aimed at supporting the sector's transition to zero-emissions mobility. This is the ninth set of Omnibus packages, simplification measures aimed at reducing costs and reporting requirements for EU businesses.
For the EU automotive industry, one legislative proposal includes simplifying Euro 7 rules for heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), technical requirements, and motor vehicle testing procedures. Some proposals call for a two- to five-year moratorium on the implementation of the heavy-duty Euro 7 framework, and others try to delay tyre wear and brake particle emissions specifically.
Postponing the implementation of the Euro 7 framework would weaken one of the EU's most important laws to protect public health and address a major source of microplastic pollution. Such a delay would also send the wrong message to investors and innovators, creating regulatory uncertainty for manufacturers in the field of cleaner technologies.
For these reasons, a coalition—comprising ECOS, T&E, Pew, Gallifrey Foundation, Sea at Risk, Clean Cities, European Respiratory Society, European Lung Foundation, Rethink Plastic, Lungs Europe, and POLIS—has sent a letter to the European Parliament and Council of the EU urging them to oppose any proposal to postpone or weaken the implementation of the Euro 7 heavy-duty requirements and to maintain the current timetable.
Addressing the pollution caused by heavy-duty vehicles is imperative
HDVs are a major source of air pollution and microplastics. Since 2000, global sales of new and used HDVs have risen at an annual rate of 4.6%, driven by increased freight and passenger transport. As a result, a 2024 report by the United Nations Environment Programme reveals that tailpipe CO2 emissions by HDVs have grown by 2.6% per year from 2000 to 2018, with trucks accounting for over 80% of this increase. In addition to CO2 emissions, HDVs and their engines contribute significantly to exhaust emissions, comprising over 40% of on-road nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions and 63% of on-road particulate matter (PM 2.5) emissions as of 2015. Furthermore, HDVs predominantly rely on fossil fuels; in the EU, between 73% and 97% of all newly registered trucks and buses run on diesel.
In terms of microplastics, tyre abrasion is responsible for approximately one-third of microplastics unintentionally released into the environment and contributes to five to 30% of road transport particulate matter (PM) emissions. The size and weight of HDVs lead to increased tyre wear, making them a major source of tyre-derived microplastics.
In 2024, the Euro 7 regulation was established as the world’s first comprehensive legal framework to regulate brake particle and tyre abrasion emissions. Following this, in June 2026, the UN adopted limits on tyre abrasion for passenger car tyres (C1). The EU is currently on track to become the first region to implement limits on tyre abrasion, beginning with C1 tyres and subsequently moving to C2 and C3 tyres.
However, proposals to postpone the timeline for adopting the C3 tyre abrasion standards could undermine regulatory certainty and weaken the Euro 7 legislative framework. The Euro 7 legislative timeline already takes into account technical developments and offers a phased implementation timeline. Delaying it would adversely affect European manufacturers and suppliers who have invested in the development of lower-emission technologies and products.
Regulatory certainty is crucial for encouraging investment and innovation in this sector, as well as maintaining the EU's position as a global leader in low-emission technologies. Delaying the implementation of the Euro 7 heavy-duty requirements would also negatively affect public health and the environment, prolonging exposure to harmful substances generated by high-abrasion tyres, resulting in an increased release of microplastics into the environment.
Read the letter here.
