Press Release: Cleaner cars: Commission consults on tighter emission limits

The European Commission announced that it intended to bring forward, by the end of 2005, a draft legislative package with the objective of reducing the emissions of new cars and light duty vehicles. Before finalising this so-called 'Euro 5' proposal, the Commission was inviting stakeholders to comment on the draft. The Commission proposal aimed at significantly contributing to a further improvement of air quality in Europe. According to the Commission's draft, particulate emissions from diesel cars would be slashed by 80% and nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 20%. The tougher standards proposed would lead to the introduction of particulate filters for diesel cars. For petrol cars, the Commission proposed to cut NOx emissions and hydrocarbons by 25%. The new Euro 5 limits could enter into force by mid 2008 at the earliest.