2026 is the year ofEuro 7the new standard which starting from November 29th marks a change of pace for the automobile, which for the first time looks beyond exhaust gases, but aims to introduce a continuous control system which, in fact, changes the relationship with the rules of the game. If until now compliance with environmental regulations was verified at specific moments – approval, inspections, roadside checks – with Euro 7 the control becomes permanent. And it is precisely here that what has been renamed the comes into the picture Electronic traffic warden.
How the Electronic Traffic Warden works
Il monitoring of what happens inside the car is assigned toOBMacronym for On-Board Monitoring. The system is installed on board the vehicle with the task of continuously monitoring emission limits in real time.
In practice, the system analyzes the behavior of the engine and the exhaust gas treatment devices, verifying that everything falls within the parameters established by law. If something is wrong – wear, malfunction or non-approved modifications – the system is able to detect it. This is precisely the most delicate point and what it has heated controversy: the OBM does not simply inform the driver that the car no longer meets the standards, but could also make this data available to the competent authorities. A hypothesis that raises questions on the front of privacybut which also represents a hard blow for the world of aftermarket tuning, especially electronic ones. Interventions on control units, exhaust systems or particulate filters become much more difficult to hide.
Not just an exhaust pipe
Euro 7 introduces another innovation destined to spark discussion: for the first time the focus is not only on exhaust fumes. Europe has decided to tackle a problem that has remained in the background for a long time, that of emissions generated by friction. Brakes and tires are responsible for a significant amount of fine dust, especially in urban areas. With Euro 7, these emissions officially enter the legislator’s sights. Car manufacturers will be called to rethink materials, compounds and braking systems to reduce the environmental impact also from this aspect.
It is a turning point that involves all power supplies, including electric cars. Indeed, precisely the latter, heavier due to the batteries, risk being particularly affected by the issue of brake and tire dust.
Guarantees against planned obsolescence
Another pillar of the Euro 7 regulation concerns the durability of environmental performance and safety over time car components. Until now, compliance with the limits was guaranteed for a relatively limited period. With the new standard, the rules change significantly. Cars will have to maintain emissions compliance for at least 10 years or 200,000 kilometers. A doubling compared to Euro 6, which forces manufacturers to design more robust systems and protects the end user from costly premature repairs. For heavy vehicles, the bar rises even further, reaching up to 875,000 kilometres.
The message is clear: no more components that work perfectly only in the first years of the vehicle’s life. Euro 7 pushes towards longer-lasting mobility, in which maintenance and construction quality become central again.
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