Euro 7 to limit tire and brake wear
With Euro 7, particles from tires and brakes are coming into focus for the first time. The rules apply to new vehicle models from November 29, 2026.
The upcoming Euro 7 standard extends the emissions focus beyond exhaust gases: for the type approval of entirely new vehicle models, clear limits for tire and brake wear will apply for the first time from November 29, 2026. One year later, the requirements will also become mandatory for all new production cars. For trucks and buses, the regulation is set to follow from May 2028. This brings two particle sources more sharply into view that arise during driving regardless of the powertrain. Tires continuously shed fine rubber particles; worldwide, around six million tonnes of abrasion enter the environment each year as a result. In Switzerland, around 8,900 tonnes of particles per year are cited, making tires the country’s largest source of microplastics. Brake pads and brake discs also release microparticles with every deceleration. Electric cars do not automatically solve the problem, even though they produce no local exhaust emissions: because of heavy high-voltage batteries, they put more mass on the wheels, which studies say can increase tire wear by up to 50 percent. At the same time, recuperation can reduce the use of the mechanical brake; nevertheless, the Euro 7 requirements also address brake wear as a separate emissions source.
Tire manufacturers are therefore working on compounds, constructions and additional systems intended to produce less abrasion or capture particles. Continental is using, among other things, rubber from Russian dandelion and states a target of reducing wear and rolling resistance by around 25 percent. Michelin is pursuing the goal of making tires entirely from biologically produced and recycled materials; natural rubber, recycled plastics and vegetable oils are mentioned. Already available is the Pirelli P Zero E, which consists of 55 percent sustainable materials. Goodyear has shown a road-approved prototype with 90 percent sustainable materials. In addition, companies such as The Tyre Collective are developing collection systems at the wheel to prevent tire particles from entering the environment in the first place; a market launch for such systems remains open. Other approaches concern airless tire concepts with lamella structures, intended to absorb uneven surfaces, avoid punctures and reduce abrasion. Economic pressure is growing in parallel with regulation: BCC Research puts the market for green tires at 70 billion Swiss francs in 2024 and expects around 123 billion Swiss francs by 2029, equivalent to annual growth of almost 12 percent.
