European emission standards

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.
Contents
[hide]

1Background
2CO2 emission
o

2.1Obligatory labelling

2.2Obligatory vehicle CO2 emission limits

3Toxic emission: stages and legal framework

o

3.1Emission standards for passenger cars

3.2Emission standards for light commercial vehicles

3.3Emission standards for trucks and buses

3.4Emission standards for large goods vehicles

3.5Enhanced environmentally friendly vehicle

3.6Emission standards for non-road mobile machinery

4Emission test cycle

o

4.1Light duty vehicles

4.2Heavy duty vehicles

4.3"Cycle beating" controversy

5Electrification

6See also

7References

8External links
o

8.1In the media

Background[edit]

Currently,[when?] emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), total hydrocarbon (THC), non-methane

hydrocarbons (NMHC), carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) 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.[why?]

CO2 emission[edit]
See also: Global warming
Within the European Union, road transport is responsible for about 20% of all CO2 emissions, with
passenger cars and vans contributing about 15%. [1][2]
The target fixed at Kyoto Protocol was an 8% reduction of emissions in all sectors of the economy
compared to 1990 levels by 200812.
Relative CO2 emissions from transport have risen rapidly in recent years, from 21% of the total in
1990 to 28% in 2004,[1][3][4] 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[edit]
The purpose of Directive 1999/94/EC of the European Parliament and the Council of 13 December
1999 relating to the availability of consumer information on fuel economy and CO 2 emissions in
respect of the marketing of new passenger cars[5] 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 (<100 CO 2 g/km) to

F (186+ CO2 g/km). The goal of the new green label is to give consumers clear information about
the environmental performance of different vehicles. [6]
Other EU member countries are also in the process of introducing consumer-friendly labels.

Obligatory vehicle CO emission limits[edit]

2

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.[7]

Toxic emission: stages and legal framework[edit]

The stages are typically referred to as Euro 1, Euro 2, Euro 3, Euro 4, Euro 5 and Euro 6 for Light
Duty Vehicle standards. The corresponding series of standards for Heavy Duty Vehicles use Roman,
rather than Arabic numerals (Euro I, Euro II, etc.)[citation needed]
The legal framework consists in a series of directives, each amendments to the 1970 Directive
70/220/EEC.[8] 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 (1993):

For passenger cars91/441/EEC. [9]

Also for passenger cars and light trucks93/59/EEC.

Euro 2 (1996) for passenger cars94/12/EC (& 96/69/EC)

For motorcycle2002/51/EC (row A)[10]2006/120/EC

Euro 3 (2000) for any vehicle98/69/EC[11]

For motorcycle2002/51/EC (row B)[10]2006/120/EC

Euro 4 (2005) for any vehicle98/69/EC (& 2002/80/EC)

Euro 5 (2008/9) for light passenger and commercial vehicles715/2007/EC [12]

Euro 6 (2014) for light passenger and commercial vehicles715/2007/EC [12]

These limits supersede the original directive on emission limits 70/220/EEC.

The classifications for vehicle category are defined by:[13]

Commission Directive 2001/116/EC of 20 December 2001, adapting to technical progress

Council Directive 70/156/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to
the type-approval of motor vehicles and their trailers [14][15]

Directive 2002/24/EC 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 92/61/EEC

In the area of fuels, the 2001 Biofuels Directive requires that 5.75% of all transport fossil fuels
(petrol and diesel) 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 parliaments 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 810% mark by 2020.

Emission standards for passenger cars[edit]

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 (PM) standards
through to the Euro 4 stage, but vehicles with direct injection engines are subject to a limit of
0.005 g/km for Euro 5 and Euro 6. A particulate number standard (P) or (PN) has been introduced in
2011 with Euro 5b for diesel engines and in 2014 with Euro 6 for petrol engines. [16][17][18]
All dates listed in the tables refer to new type approvals. The EC Directives also specify a second
dateusually one year laterwhich applies to first registration (entry into service) of existing,
previously type-approved vehicle models.
From a technical perspective, European emissions standards do not reflect everyday usage of the
vehicle as manufacturers are allowed to lighten the vehicle by removing the back seats, improve
aerodynamics by taping over grilles and door handles or reduce the load on the generator by
switching off the headlights, the passenger compartment fan or simply disconnecting the alternator
which charges the battery.[19] Breaking the regulations carry penalty fines for the perpetrators but no
jail sentences.

European emission standards for passenger cars (Category M*), g/km

Tier

Date

CO

THC NMHC

NOx

HC+NOx

PM

P [#/km]

Euro 1 July 1992

2.72 (3.16) -

0.97 (1.13) 0.14 (0.18) -

Euro 2

January 1996

1.0

0.7

0.08

Euro 3

January 2000

0.64

0.50

0.56

0.05

Euro 4

January 2005

0.50

0.25

0.30

0.025

Euro 5a September 2009 0.50

0.180 0.230

0.005

Euro 5b September 2011 0.50

0.180 0.230

0.005

61011

Euro 6

0.080 0.170

0.005

61011

Diesel

September 2014 0.50

Petrol (Gasoline)

Euro 1 July 1992

2.72 (3.16) -

0.97 (1.13) -

Euro 2

January 1996

2.2

0.5

Euro 3

January 2000

2.3

0.20

0.15

Euro 4

January 2005

1.0

0.10

0.08

Euro 5

September 2009 1.0

0.10

0.068

0.060 -

0.005**

Euro 6

September 2014 1.0

0.10

0.068

0.060 -

0.005**

61011***

* Before Euro 5, passenger vehicles > 2500 kg were type approved as light commercial vehicles N1-I
** Applies only to vehicles with direct injection engines
*** 61012/km within first three years from Euro 6 effective dates
Values in parentheses are conformity of production (COP) limits

Emission standards for light commercial vehicles[edit]

European emission standards for light commercial vehicles 1305 kg (Category N1-I), g/km

Tier

Date

CO

THC

NMHC

NOx

HC+NOx

PM

P [#/km]

Diesel

Euro 1

October 1994

2.72

0.97

0.14

Euro 2

January 1998

1.0

0.7

0.08

Euro 3

January 2000

0.64

0.50

0.56

0.05

Euro 4

January 2005

0.50

0.25

0.30

0.025

Euro 5a September 2009 0.500 -

0.180 0.230

0.005

Euro 5b September 2011 0.500 -

0.180 0.230

0.005

61011

Euro 6

0.080 0.170

0.005

61011

September 2014 0.500 -

Petrol (Gasoline)

Euro 1

October 1994

2.72

0.97

Euro 2

January 1998

2.2

0.5

Euro 3

January 2000

2.3

0.20

0.15

Euro 4

January 2005

1.0

0.10

0.08

Euro 5

September 2009 1.000 0.100 0.068

0.060 -

0.005* -

Euro 6

September 2014 1.000 0.100 0.068

0.060 -

0.005* 61011

* Applies only to vehicles with direct injection engines

European emission standards for light commercial vehicles 13051760 kg (Category N1-II),
g/km
Tier

Date

CO

THC

NMHC

NOx

HC+NOx

PM

P [#/km]

Diesel

Euro 1

October 1994

5.17

1.4

0.19

Euro 2

January 1998

1.25

1.0

0.12

Euro 3

January 2001

0.80

0.65

0.72

0.07

Euro 4

January 2006

0.63

0.33

0.39

0.04

Euro 5a September 2010 0.630 -

0.235 0.295

0.005

Euro 5b September 2011 0.630 -

0.235 0.295

0.005

61011

Euro 6

0.105 0.195

0.005

61011

September 2015 0.630 -

Petrol (Gasoline)

Euro 1

October 1994

5.17

1.4

Euro 2

January 1998

4.0

0.6

Euro 3

January 2001

4.17

0.25

0.18

Euro 4

January 2006

1.81

0.130 -

0.10

Euro 5

September 2010 1.810 0.130 0.090

0.075 -

0.005* -

Euro 6

September 2015 1.810 0.130 0.090

0.075 -

0.005* 61011

* Applies only to vehicles with direct injection engines

European emission standards for light commercial vehicles >1760 kg max 3500 kg. (Category
N1-III & N2), g/km

Tier

Date

CO

THC

NMHC

NOx

HC+NOx

PM

P [#/km]

Diesel

Euro 1

October 1994

6.9

1.7

0.25

Euro 2

January 1998

1.5

1.2

0.17

Euro 3

January 2001

0.95

0.78

0.86

0.10

Euro 4

January 2006

0.74

0.39

0.46

0.06

Euro 5a September 2010 0.740 -

0.280 0.350

0.005

Euro 5b September 2011 0.740 -

0.280 0.350

0.005

61011

Euro 6

0.125 0.215

0.005

61011

September 2015 0.740 -

Petrol (Gasoline)

Euro 1

October 1994

6.9

1.7

Euro 2

January 1998

5.0

0.7

Euro 3

January 2001

5.22

0.29

0.21

Euro 4

January 2006

2.27

0.16

0.11

Euro 5

September 2010 2.270 0.160 0.108

0.082 -

0.005* -

Euro 6

September 2015 2.270 0.160 0.108

0.082 -

0.005* 61011

* Applies only to vehicles with direct injection engines

Emission standards for trucks and buses[edit]

Whereas for passenger cars, the standards are defined by vehicle driving distance, g/km, for lorries
(trucks) 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 (EU type approvals are valid longer than one year).
The official category name is heavy-duty diesel engines, which generally includes lorries and buses.

EU Emission Standards for HD Diesel Engines, g/kWh (smoke in m1)

Tier

Date

Test cycle

1992, < 85 kW

CO

HC

NOx

PM

Smoke

4.5

1.1

8.0

0.612

4.5

1.1

8.0

0.36

4.0

1.1

7.0

0.25

4.0

1.1

7.0

0.15

1.0

0.25

2.0

0.02

2.1

0.66

5.0

1.5

0.46

3.5

0.02

0.5
0.5

Euro I
1992, > 85 kW
ECE R-49
October 1996
Euro II
October 1998
October 1999 EEVs only

ESC & ELR

Euro III
October 2000

Euro IV

October 2005

0.10
0.13*

0.15

0.8

ESC & ELR

Euro V

October 2008

1.5

0.46

2.0

0.02

Euro VI

31 December 2013[20]

1.5

0.13

0.4

0.01

* for engines of less than 0.75 dm3 swept volume per cylinder and a rated power speed of more than
3,000 per minute. EEV is "Enhanced environmentally friendly vehicle".

Emission standards for large goods vehicles[edit]

Euro norm emissions for category N3, EDC, (2000 and up)

Standard

Date

CO (g/kWh) NOx (g/kWh) HC (g/kWh) PM (g/kWh)

Euro 0

198892

12.3

15.8

2.6

NA

Euro I

199295

4.9

9.0

1.23

0.40

Euro II

199599

4.0

7.0

1.1

0.15

Euro III

19992005 2.1

5.0

0.66

0.1

Euro IV

200508

1.5

3.5

0.46

0.02

Euro V

200812

1.5

2.0

0.46

0.02

Euro norm emissions for (older) ECE R49 cycle

Standard

Date

CO (g/kWh) NOx (g/kWh) HC (g/kWh) PM (g/kWh)

Euro 0

198892 11.2

14.4

2.4

NA

Euro I

199295 4.5

8.0

1.1

0.36

Euro II

199599 4.0

7.0

1.1

0.15

Enhanced environmentally friendly vehicle [edit]

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[edit]

The term non-road mobile machinery (NRMM) 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 IIV standards. The Stage I/II was part of the
1997 directive (Directive 97/68/EC). 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 are enforced from 2014.
As of 1 January 2015, EU Member States have to ensure that ships in the Baltic, the North Sea and
the English Channel are using fuels with a sulphur content of no more than 0.10%. Higher sulphur
contents are still possible, but only if the appropriate exhaust cleaning systems are in place. [21]

Emission test cycle[edit]

Just as important as the regulations are the tests needed to ensure adherence to regulations. These
are laid out in standardised emission test cycles used to measure emissions performance against
the regulatory thresholds applicable to the tested vehicle.

Light duty vehicles[edit]

Since the Euro 3 regulations in 2000, performance has been measured using the "cold start" New
European Driving Cycle (NEDC; also known as the MVEG-B test), which eliminated the use of a 40second engine warm-up period found in the ECE+EUDC test cycle (also known as MVEG-A). [17][22]

Heavy duty vehicles[edit]

The two groups of emissions standards for heavy duty vehicles each have different appropriate test
requirements. Steady-state testing is used for diesel engines only, while transient testing applies to
both diesel and petrol engines.[23]

"Cycle beating" controversy[edit]

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 [24] that engine manufacturers would use a socalled Defeat device to engage in what was called 'cycle beating' (cheating) to optimise apparent
emission performance only during the emissions test cycle, while emissions from typical driving
conditions were deliberately left much higher than promised or tested, undermining the standards
and public health. The use of a defeat device is expressly forbidden in EU law.[18] In one particular
instance, research in diesel car emissions by two German technology institutes found that zero 'real'
NOx reductions in public health risk had been achieved despite 13 years of stricter standards (2006
report).[25]
An independent study in 2014 used portable emission measurement systems to measure
NOx emissions during real world driving from fifteen Euro 6 compliant diesel passenger cars. The
results showed that NOx emissions were on average as much as 7 times higher than the Euro 6

limit. However, some of the vehicles did show reduced emissions, suggesting that real world
NOx emission control is possible.[26]
In 2015, the Volkswagen common-rail TDI diesel engine emissions controversy involved revelations
that Volkswagen AG had deliberately falsified emission reports by programming engine management
unit firmware to detect test conditions, and change emissions controls when under test. The cars
thus passed the test, but in real world conditions, emitted up to 40 times more NO x emissions than
allowed by law.[27] An independent report in September 2015 warned that this extended to "every
major car manufacturer",[28] with BMW, and Opel named alongside Volkswagen and its sister
company Audi as "the worst culprits",[28] and that approximately 90% of diesel cars "breach emissions
regulations".[28] Overlooking the direct responsibility of the companies involved, the authors blamed
the violations on a number of factors, including "unrealistic test conditions, a lack of transparency
and a number of loopholes in testing protocols". [28]
In 2017, the European Union will introduce testing in real-world conditions called Real Driving
Emissions, using Portable Emission Measurement Systems in addition to laboratory tests.[29] The
actual limits will use 110% Conformity Factor in 2017, and 50% in 2021 for NO x,[30] conformity factor
for particles number P being left for further study. Environment organizations critizised the decision
as insufficient.[31][32] while ACEA mentions it will be extremely difficult for automobile manufacturers to
reach such a limit in such short period of time. [33] In 2015 an ADAC study (ordered by ICCT) of 32
Euro6 cars showed that few complied with on-road emission limits, and LNT/NOx adsorber cars
(with about half the market) had the highest emissions. [34] At the end of this study, ICCT was
expecting a 100% conformity factor.[35]
NEDC Euro6b not to exceed limit of 80 mg/km NOx will then continue to apply for the WLTC Euro6c
tests performed on a dyno while WLTC-RDE will be performed in the middle of the traffic with a
PEMS attached at the rear of the car. RDE testing is then far more difficult than the dyno tests. RDE
not to exceed limits have then been updated to take into account different test conditions such as
PEMS weight (305533 kg in various ICCT testing[36]), driving in the middle of the traffic, road
gradient, etc
ADAC also performed NOx emission tests with a cycle representative of the real driving environment.
[37][38]

Among the 69 cars tested:

- 17 cars emit less than 80 mg/km i-e do not emit more NOx on this more demanding cycle than on
the NEDC cycle
- 22 additional cars fall below the 110% conformity factor. In total: 57% of cars have then a good
chance to be compatible with WLTC-RDE
- 30 cars fall above the 110% conformity factor and have then to be improved to satisfy the WLTCRDE test.

Since 2012, ADAC performs regular pollutant emission tests

[39][40]

on a specific cycle duly

representing a real driving environment and gives a global notation independent from the type of
engine used (petrol, diesel, natural gas, LPG, hybrid, etc.). To get the maximum 50/50 note on this
cycle, the car shall emit less than the minimum limit applicable to either petrol or diesel car, that is to
say 100 mg HC, 500 mg CO, 60 mg NOx, 3 mg PM and 61010 P. Unlike ambient discourse dirty
diesel versus clean petrol cars, the results are much more nuanced and subtle. Some Euro6 diesel
cars perform as well as the best hybrid petrol cars ; some other recent Euro6 petrol indirect injection
cars perform as the worst Euro5 diesel cars ; finally some petrol hybrid cars are at the same level as
the best Euro5 diesel cars.[41][42]

Electrification[edit]
As Europe's requirements for its vehicle fleets head toward a goal of 98 grams of CO2 per kilometer
by 2020, Christian Maloney of the German office of consulting groupMcKinsey & Co. says the only
way the automakers can get there and make money is with plug-in vehicles.[43][44]
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. [45]