The Euro 7 regulation will be a turning point for the European automotive industry. One of the big changes that it will introduce with respect to previous versions of this standard has to do with emissions. And it is that, for the first time, only the emissions produced by the exhaust will not be taken into account. They will also count toxic particles emitted by mechanical brakes.
In approximately a few months, all the details of the Euro 7 regulation will finally be announced. After suffering several delays, the authorities will present the keys to a regulation that, without a doubt, will mark a before and after for the automotive industry European. Automakers have been working hard to prepare for what lies ahead. And the truth is that the Euro 7 standard will introduce very important novelties.
One of the big changes that the entry into force of the Euro 7 regulation will bring about is that, for the first time, only the emissions produced by the exhaust will not be taken into account. It is important to remember that vehicles do not only generate emissions through the exhaust system.In the Euro 7 standard, toxic particles emitted by mechanical brakes will also count.
The Euro 7 standard seeks to reduce toxic particles emitted by brakes
The level of ultrafine particles resulting from the abrasion of brake pads will be covered for the first time by a European Union regulation to reduce the contribution of vehicles to air pollution, especially in urban areas. The Euro 7 standard will oblige vehicle manufacturers to reduce the amount of pollutants, such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxides.
The European Commission confirmed its commitment to tackle particulate matter in the 2021 zero pollution action plan. “Based on the latest evidence, forthcoming legislation will consider the need to limit emissions of PM2.5 and nanoparticles of all types of combustion engines and the brakes of conventional and electric vehicles alike,” the plan established.
In it braking process of a vehicle friction can cause extremely small particles to be dislodged from the brake pad. The small size of these particles, which are divided between PM10 (coarse dust) and PM2.5 (fine dust), are capable of penetrating deep into the lungs. Heavy metals released through brake abrasion can also end up in the environment, negatively affecting soil and water. The intake of these particles opens the door to respiratory problems, the development of certain forms of cancer and even increases the risk of Alzheimer’s, according to certain European studies.
The electric car does not get rid of the particles emitted by the brakes
The roadmap established by the European Commission is clear. In the future that can already be glimpsed on the horizon, there is only room for the electric car. However, although the transition process towards electric mobility will allow the elimination of tailpipe emissions, it will not solve the problem of particulate emissions from brakes. That is why the 100% electric cars are also in the crosshairs of the Euro 7 regulations.
Technologies already exist that allow the amount of particles emitted by brakes to be reduced by up to 90%. One of these solutions has been developed by the French company Tallano and basically sucks the brake pad dust into a filter before it can be released into the environment.
A few years ago, more specifically in April 2019, Volkswagen was caught testing a particulate filter for brakes. Our spy photographers caught a Volkswagen Golf in GTD version carrying out some road tests with the indicated particulate filter system. A sighting that confirms the fact that manufacturers are already working on this type of solution.
Source: Euactiv