EC moves to slash vehicle emissions by 2010

The European Commission (EC) has agreed on a strategy designed to reduce road transport emissions by 60-70% from today's levels by 2010. To implement the strategy, EC adopted proposals for tighter emission standards for passenger cars and a proposal for gasoline and diesel fuel specifications to be adopted by 2010. The commission also confirmed its plan for further proposals next year on emissions standards for commercial and heavy duty vehicles.

July 8, 1996

2 min read

The European Commission (EC) has agreed on a strategy designed to reduce road transport emissions by 60-70% from today's levels by 2010.

To implement the strategy, EC adopted proposals for tighter emission standards for passenger cars and a proposal for gasoline and diesel fuel specifications to be adopted by 2010.

The commission also confirmed its plan for further proposals next year on emissions standards for commercial and heavy duty vehicles.

Much of the proposed legislation arises from the Auto-Oil program of 1994, under which the EC, European Oil Industry Association (Europia), and European Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association worked out a way to reduce air pollution in European cities (OGJ, Nov 20, 1995, p. 41).

Specific targets

EC's targets for 2010 are a 70% reduction in urban carbon monoxide emissions from 14 million metric tons/year at present, a 65% cut in nitrous oxide emissions from 3.6 million metric tons/year now, a 70% cut in volatile organic compounds emissions from 2.7 million metric tons/ year at present, and a 70% reduction in urban particulate emissions from 95,000 metric tons/year today.

Measures outlined in the Auto-Oil program are expected to reduce carbon monoxide levels by 6 million metric tons/year, nitrous oxide levels by 1 million metric tons/year, volatile organic compounds by 1 million metric tons/year, and particulates by 27,000 metric tons/year.

Some problems

The EC's proposals have run into trouble, however. The Auto-Oil program will not meet the target reductions, and the commission has not made clear how the shortfall will be made up.

Environmental lobbyists reportedly charged the transport fuel proposals are so lax they do not meet current average European standards on fuel specifications.

Also, members of the European Parliament have said the strategy would need to be drastically rewritten when it comes before them for approval.

The total cost of the proposed legislation was said by EC to amount to 5.5 billion ECUs ($4.44 billion)/year from 2000. Europe's refining industry is expected to face additional costs of 765 million ECUs ($617 million)/year.

New Europe-wide fuel specifications are expected to be in place by 2000. Among the measures planned is phasing out of leaded gasoline by that year.

Fuel specification proposals have been watered down after consultation with industry. Nevertheless, the new standards are expected to help squeeze Europe's less competitive refiners out of business (OGJ, Mar. 25, p. 21).