European emission standards define the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles
sold in EU member states. The emission standards are defined in a series of European Union
directives staging the progressive introduction of increasingly stringent standards.
Currently, emissions of nitrogen oxides, total hydrocarbon, non-methane hydrocarbons, carbon
monoxide and particulate matter are regulated for most vehicle types, including cars, lorries,
trains, tractors and similar machinery, barges, but excluding seagoing ships and aeroplanes.
For each vehicle type, different standards apply. Compliance is determined by running
the engine at a standardised test cycle. Non-compliant vehicles cannot be sold in the EU, but new
standards do not apply to vehicles already on the roads. No use of specific technologies
is mandated to meet the standards, though available technology is considered when setting
the standards. New models introduced must meet current or planned standards, but minor
lifecycle model revisions may continue to be offered with pre-compliant engines.
In the early 2000s, Australia began harmonising Australian Design Rule certification for new
motor vehicle emissions with Euro categories. Euro III was introduced on 1 January 2006
and is progressively being introduced to align with European introduction dates.
Also see the EU-mandated European on-board diagnostics.
CO2 emission
Within the European Union, road transport is responsible for about 20% of all CO2 emissions,
with passenger cars contributing about 12%. The target fixed at Kyoto Protocol was an
8% reduction of emissions in all sectors of the economy compared to 1990 levels by 2008-2012.
Relative CO2 emissions from transport have risen rapidly in recent years, from 21% of
the total in 1990 to 28% in 2004, but currently there are no standards for limits on CO2 emissions
from vehicles. EU transport emissions of CO2 currently account
for about 3.5% of total global CO2 emissions. Obligatory labelling
The purpose of Directive 1999EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 13 December
1999 relating to the availability of consumer information on fuel economy and CO2 emissions
in respect of the marketing of new passenger cars is to ensure that information relating
to the fuel economy and CO2 emissions of new passenger cars offered for sale or lease in
the Community is made available to consumers in order to enable consumers to make an informed
choice. In the United Kingdom, the initial approach
was deemed ineffective. The way the information was presented was too complicated for consumers
to understand. As a result, car manufacturers in the United Kingdom voluntarily agreed to
put a more “consumer-friendly,” colour-coded label displaying CO2 emissions on all new
cars beginning in September 2005, with a letter from A to F . The goal of the new “green
label” is to give consumers clear information about the environmental performance of different
vehicles. Other EU member countries are also in the
process of introducing consumer-friendly labels. Obligatory vehicle CO2 emission limits
EU Regulation No 443/2009 sets an average CO2 emissions target for new passenger cars
of 130 grams per kilometre. The target is gradually being phased in between 2012 and
2015. A target of 95 grams per kilometre will apply from 2021.
For light commercial vehicle, an emissions target of 175 g/km applies from 2017, and
147 g/km from 2020. Toxic emission: stages and legal framework
The stages are typically referred to as Euro 1, Euro 2, Euro 3, Euro 4 and Euro 5 for Light
Duty Vehicle standards. The corresponding series of standards for Heavy Duty Vehicles
use Roman, rather than Arabic numerals The legal framework consists in a series of
directives, each amendments to the 1970 Directive 70EEC. The following is a summary list of
the standards, when they come into force, what they apply to, and which EU directives
provide the definition of the standard. Euro 1:
For passenger cars - 91EEC. Also for passenger cars and light trucks - 93EEC.
Euro 2 for passenger cars - 94EC For motorcycle - 2002EC - 2006EC
Euro 3 for any vehicle - 98ECFor motorcycle - 2002EC - 2006EC
Euro 4 for any vehicle - 98EC Euro 5 and Euro 6 for light passenger and
commercial vehicles - 715EC These limits supersede the original directive
on emission limits 70EEC. The classifications for vehicle category are
defined by: Commission Directive 2001EC of 20 December
2001, adapting to technical progress Council Directive 70EEC on the approximation of the
laws of the Member States relating to the type-approval of motor vehicles and their
trailers Directive 2002EC of the European Parliament
and of the Council of 18 March 2002 relating to the type-approval of two or three-wheeled
motor vehicles and repealing Council Directive 92EEC
In the area of fuels, the 2001 Biofuels Directive requires that 5.75% of all transport fossil
fuels should be replaced by biofuels by 31 December 2010, with an intermediate target
of 2% by the end of 2005. However, MEPs have since voted to lower this target in the wake
of new scientific evidence about the sustainability of biofuels and the impact on food prices.
In a vote in Strasbourg, the European parliament’s environment committee supported a plan to
curb the EU target for renewable sources in transport to 4% by 2015. They also said that
a thorough review would be required in 2015 before the EU could progress to an 8-10% mark
by 2020. Emission standards for passenger cars
Emission standards for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles are summarised in
the following tables. Since the Euro 2 stage, EU regulations introduce different emission
limits for diesel and petrol vehicles. Diesels have more stringent CO standards but are allowed
higher NOx emissions. Petrol-powered vehicles are exempted from particulate matter standards
through to the Euro 4 stage, but vehicles with direct injection engines will be subject
to a limit of 0.005 g/km for Euro 5 and Euro 6. A particulate number standard or is part
of Euro 5 and 6, but is not final. The standard is to be defined as soon as possible and at
the latest upon entry into force of Euro 6. All dates listed in the tables refer to new
type approvals. The EC Directives also specify a second date — one year later — which
applies to first registration of existing, previously type-approved vehicle models.
European emission standards for passenger cars, g/km
Emission standards for light commercial vehicles European emission standards for light commercial
vehicles ≤1305 kg, g/km European emission standards for light commercial
vehicles 1305 kg – 1760 kg, g/km European emission standards for light commercial
vehicles >1760 kg max 3500 kg., g/km Emission standards for trucks and buses
Whereas for passenger cars, the standards are defined by vehicle driving distance, g/km,
for lorries they are defined by engine energy output, g/kWh, and are therefore in no way
comparable. The following table contains a summary of the emission standards and their
implementation dates. Dates in the tables refer to new type approvals; the dates for
all type approvals are in most cases one year later.
The official category name is heavy-duty diesel engines, which generally includes lorries
and buses. EU Emission Standards for HD Diesel Engines,
g/kWh Emission standards for large goods vehicles
Enhanced environmentally friendly vehicle Enhanced environmentally friendly vehicle
or EEV is a term used in the European emission standards for the definition of a "clean vehicle"
> 3.5 tonne in the category M2 and M3. The standard lies between the levels of Euro V
and Euro VI. Emission standards for non-road mobile machinery
The term non-road mobile machinery is a term used in the European emission standards to
control emissions of engines that are not used primarily on public roadways. This definition
included off road vehicles as well as railway vehicles.
European standards for non-road diesel engines harmonize with the US EPA standards, and comprise
gradually stringent tiers known as Stage I-IV standards. The Stage I/II was part of the
1997 directive. It was implemented in two stages with Stage I implemented in 1999 and
Stage II implemented between 2001 and 2004. In 2004, the European Parliament adopted Stage
III/IV standards. The Stage III standards were further divided into Stage III A and
III B were phased in between 2006 and 2013. Stage IV standards will be enforced in 2014.
Cycle beating For the emission standards to deliver real
emission reductions it is crucial to use a test cycle that reflects real-world driving
style. It was discovered that engine manufacturers would engage in what was called 'cycle beating'
to optimise emission performance to the test cycle, while emissions from typical driving
conditions would be much higher than expected, undermining the standards and public health.
In one particular instance, research from two German technology institutes found that
for diesel cars no 'real' NOx reductions have been achieved after 13 years of stricter standards.
Electrification As Europe's requirements for its vehicle fleets
head toward a goal of 98 grams of CO 2 per kilometer by 2020, Christian Maloney
of the German office of consulting group McKinsey & Co. says the only way the automakers can
get there and make money is with plug-in vehicles. Many EU member states have responded to this
problem by exploring the possibility of including electric vehicle-related infrastructure into
their existing road traffic system, with some even having begun implementation. The UK has
begun its "plugged-in-places" scheme which sees funding go to several areas across the
UK in order to create a network of charging points for electric vehicles.
See also ACEA agreement
Biofuels Directive Emission standards
Energy policy of the European Union European Common Transport Policy
European Federation for Transport and Environment European Union Emission Trading Scheme
Life cycle assessment Motor vehicle emissions
National Emission Ceiling Portable emissions measurement system
Type approval World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations)
Notes
References
External links European emission standards.
European Environment Agency EEA Glossary
EEA transport page.
EurActiv.com - Euro 5 emissions standards for cars
Dieselnet: EU emission standards Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency
The Impact of Euro 5 - Facts and figures. Commission proposal for Euro 5
T&E: No diesel NOX reduction in 13 years due to cycle beating
COM 2007/19 Results of the review of the Community Strategy to reduce CO2 emissions from passenger
cars and light-commercial vehicles European Commission conference: Options to
Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions due to Mobile Air Conditioning
In the media 2007-07-02, Auto Industry: ACEA welcomes EU
Environment Council’s recognition of need for integrated approach to CO2 reduction
February 7, 2007, BBC: EU car CO2 fight only beginning
February 7, 2007, European Commission: EU plans legislation to cut CO2 emissions from
cars February 6, 2007, International Herald Tribune:
EU to compromise on auto emissions January 31, 2007, Transport and Environment:
Europe set to clean up fuels but stalls on cars
January 31, 2007, European Commission: EU proposes stricter fuel standards to cut CO2
emissions January 24, 2007, The Guardian: Grand plan
for a low-carbon Europe goes up in smoke October 19, 2004: European Environment Agency:
Poor European test standards understate air pollution from cars