Petrol and diesel drivers could face new emissions laws

The European Parliament has agreed to adopt measures in a bid to reduce road transport emissions which could soon be rolled out in the UK.

On Wednesday, Members of the European Parliament accepted new EU rules aimed at slashing pollution from passenger cars, vans, buses, trucks and trailers.

A total of 297 MEPs voted in favour, while 190 voted against and 37 abstained from introducing Euro 7 emissions standards.

The current Euro 6 test conditions, which are used to limit entry of more polluting vehicles into Clean Air zones, and exhaust emissions limits will be retained.

For the first time, EU standards will include brake particle emissions limits (PM10) for cars and vans, in addition to minimum performance requirements for battery durability in hybrids and EVs.

Pending formal approval from EU nations, the new Euro 7 guidance is expected to be rolled out from July 2030 for cars and vans and 12 months later for buses and trucks, Reuters reported.

Many experts have suggested that the UK will also adopt the new Euro 7 measures once they are formally accepted, despite leaving the European Union.

It is likely that manufacturers in the UK will retain the emissions ratings to standardise the industry and make importing and exporting easier without needing to produce different vehicles.

Major European carmakers and countries such as France, Italy and the Czech Republic previously pushed for the Euro emissions standards to be watered down.