Emissions in the automotive sector

The protection of air quality and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is a priority for the European Commission. Emission standards are currently in place for light–duty (cars, vans) and heavy-duty vehicles (lorries, buses), and for non-road mobile machinery. The Commission also encourages technological development to help protect the environment and reduce air pollution.

Emissions from light-duty vehicles

Emission limits - regulations on emission limit standards Euro 5 and 6 for light passenger and commercial vehicles have introduced new stricter emission limits
Reducing CO₂ –EU laws set binding emission targets for new car and van fleets to help reduce the CO₂ emissions of light-duty vehicles. More on reducing CO₂ emissions
Improving testing procedures - as of 1 September 2017, new car models will have to pass new and more reliable emissions tests in real driving conditions ('Real Driving Emissions' – RDE) as well as an improved laboratory test ('World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure' – WLTP) before they can be driven on European roads. More on the improved testing procedures

In September 2017, the Commission introduced an improved mandatory car emissions test to reduce vehicle emissions. In November 2018 the Commission adopted a new proposal to improve the tests.

Emissions from heavy-duty vehicles

Emission limits - Regulations on EURO VI for heavy duty vehicles have introduced new stricter emission limits. Euro VI standards became mandatory on 1 January 2013
Reducing CO₂ - As of 1 January 2019, newly produced lorries have to determine and declare their CO2 emissions and fuel consumption using the latest available version of the VECTO simulation tool. Those CO2 emissions form the basis for the proposal setting CO2 emission standards for heavy-duty vehicles adopted by the Commission in May 2018 with the 3rd mobility package. A new verification testing procedure (VTP) to verify CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of new lorries on the road will be implemented as from 1 July 2020.

Supporting information

Light-duty vehicles

Corrigendum to Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/1832 - 16.10.2019
RDE Act 4 and WLTP 2 - Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/1832
WLTP – Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1151 - Consolidated version of 1 January 2019 (contains amendments made by Regulations 2017/1154, 2017/1347 and 2018/1832)
RDE Act 3 – Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1154
RDE Act 2 – Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/646 amending Regulation (EC) No 692/2008 as regards emissions from light passenger and commercial vehicles (Euro 6)
RDE Act 1 – Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/427 amending Regulation (EC) No 692/2008 as regards emissions from light passenger and commercial vehicles (Euro 6)
Commission Regulation (EC) No 692/2008 implementing and amending Regulation (EC) No 715/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council on type-approval of motor vehicles with respect to emissions from light passenger and commercial vehicles (Euro 5 and Euro 6) and on access to vehicle repair and maintenance information
Regulation (EC) No 715/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council on type approval of motor vehicles with respect to emissions from light passenger and commercial vehicles (Euro 5 and Euro 6) and on access to vehicle repair and maintenance information

Heavy-duty vehicles

Step E - Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/1939 amending Regulation (EU) No 582/2011 as regards Auxiliary Emission Strategies (AES), access to vehicle OBD information and vehicle repair and maintenance information, measurement of emissions during cold engine start periods and use of portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS) to measure particle numbers, with respect to heavy duty vehicles
VTP - Commission Regulation (EU) 2019/318 amending Regulation (EU) 2017/2400 and Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the determination of the CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of heavy-duty vehicles
Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/2400 implementing Regulation (EU) No 595/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the determination of the CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of heavy-duty vehicles and amending Directive 2007/46/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council and Commission Regulation (EU) No 582/2011
Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/1718 amending Regulation (EU) No 582/2011 with respect to emissions from heavy-duty vehicles as regards the provisions on testing by means of portable emission measurement systems (PEMS) and the procedure for the testing of the durability of replacement pollution control devices
Regulation (EC) No 595/2009 on emissions from heavy duty vehicles
Commission Regulation (EU) No 582/2011 on emissions from heavy duty vehicles (Euro VI)