OEMs urged to prepare now for Euro 7 testing to avoid bottlenecks

Automotive OEMs are being urged to prepare now for Euro 7 testing as the automotive industry faces a critical deadline in November 2026, when all new vehicle models on sale in the EU must achieve Euro 7-equivalent type approval.

MAHLE Powertrain is advising manufacturers to start their temporary type approvals immediately to avoid potential bottlenecks at testing facilities, which are expected to face peak demand as the deadline approaches. The company is already processing Euro 7 type approvals for clients looking to get ahead of the 2026 timeline.

While Euro 7 maintains largely the same tailpipe emissions limits as Euro 6, it enforces those limits far more strictly in real driving conditions and extends compliance periods to 10 years or 200,000km. The new standards also introduce significant requirements for battery durability in electric and hybrid vehicles, alongside mandated testing under broader temperature ranges and driving conditions.

"Forward planning will be essential to managing what's expected to be an extremely busy period for testing facilities across Europe,"

warns Simon Williams, RDE Operations Leader, MAHLE Powertrain.

"Manufacturers who start their Euro 7 type approvals early can avoid the natural peak in demand closer to the November 2026 deadline and ensure their vehicle launch schedules remain on track."

The proactive approach is particularly important for European and German manufacturers who frequently rely on UK testing facilities for efficient vehicle certification and cross-border trade.

MAHLE Powertrain's facilities offer comprehensive emissions testing capabilities including full legislative temperature and altitude conditions, battery durability testing, and cold-temperature EV range assessment, supporting manufacturers as they transition to the next generation of vehicle standards.