What is Euro 6 for trucks (and what changes with Euro 7 in 2028)?

Euro 6 is the EU emission standard covering all new heavy-duty trucks since January 2014, capping NOx at 0.46 g/kWh and requiring AdBlue-based SCR. Euro 7, under Regulation (EU) 2024/1610 , tightens NOx by 57% and adds brake-dust rules - mandatory for new heavy-duty type approvals from 29 May 2028.

What does Euro 6 mean for heavy-duty trucks in practice?

Euro VI (the Roman numeral form used formally for heavy-duty engines) limits NOx to 0.46 g/kWh on the transient test cycle and particulate matter to 0.01 g/kWh. Every truck sold new in the EU since January 2014 runs an SCR system fed by AdBlue - a urea-water solution that converts nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water - plus a diesel particulate filter (DPF) for soot. Both systems require maintenance and AdBlue top-ups roughly every 10,000-15,000 km depending on load.

Any truck registered after January 2014 carries a Euro VI certificate by default. Trucks from before that date face growing access restrictions. Using GPS fleet tracking to log the emission class of each vehicle helps avoid fines when routing through regulated zones.

Which European cities enforce Euro 6 for HGVs, and what changes with Euro 7?

Low-emission zones across the EU set Euro VI as the minimum for HGV entry. Amsterdam's milieuzones require Euro VI for diesel trucks in the city centre. Brussels enforces a LEZ across all 19 communes where pre-Euro VI HGVs face access bans. Stuttgart's Umweltzone issues the green sticker only to Euro VI-compliant vehicles. Paris restricts older trucks on weekdays through the ZFE-m Crit'Air scheme.

Fleet compliance management tools map each vehicle's emission class against zone rules on planned corridors, while a driver assistant app flags active zone hours and bypass options in real time.

Euro 7, under Regulation (EU) 2024/1610 , goes further than tightening limits. The table below shows key changes for heavy-duty trucks.

The 57% NOx cut and the durability extension from 7 to 12 years mean manufacturers must guarantee compliance over a much longer working life. The real-driving-emissions conformity factor drops to 1.0, closing the gap between lab results and road behaviour. As the IRU advises, fleet renewal decisions should factor in the May 2028 deadline - 2026 is effectively the last full model year before Euro VII trucks dominate new orders. Existing Euro VI trucks are not banned and remain roadworthy EU-wide after that date.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check whether my truck is Euro 6 compliant?

The Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued with the vehicle states the emission stage. For trucks in service, the national registration document typically records the class. If neither is available, the VIN can be used to request type-approval data from the manufacturer or national authority.

Do Euro 6 trucks need AdBlue?

Yes. All diesel Euro VI HGVs use SCR, which requires a continuous AdBlue supply to convert NOx. Running out triggers an engine derate under EU anti-tamper rules. Consumption averages around 4-6% of diesel use on long-haul cycles.

Will Euro 6 trucks be banned after Euro 7 comes in?

Euro 7 applies only to new type approvals from 29 May 2028 and does not ban existing Euro VI vehicles. The practical risk is city LEZs tightening further - some zones may require Euro VII compliance for access over time, following the pattern when cities moved from Euro V to Euro VI requirements between 2015 and 2020.

What is the difference between Euro VI (heavy duty) and Euro 6 (light duty)?

Roman numerals (Euro VI) denote the heavy-duty engine standard for trucks and buses above 3,500 kg; Arabic numerals (Euro 6) denote the light-duty standard for cars and LCVs. Since Regulation (EU) 2024/1610, both tracks are consolidated into a single Euro 7 framework, though heavy-duty vehicles have later dates and different test procedures.

Explore the Logifie fleet compliance management tools to track emission class across your whole fleet ahead of the 2028 deadline.