Emissions in the automotive sector

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

All-day stakeholder event on 24 October 2018: Future emission standards for light and heavy-duty vehicles

The JRC, academia and stakeholders will gather to share opinions and scientific evidence on the future of emission standards for passenger cars, light commercial vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles.

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 March 2018 the Commission held a public consultation on its new proposal to improve the tests. The Technical Committee on Motor Vehicles (TCMV) voted on the proposal on 3 May. More on the proposal

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 - the Commission is working on a comprehensive strategy to reduce CO₂ emissions

Supporting information:

Light-duty vehicles

WLTP – Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/1151
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

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)