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Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs

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.

 

New: Euro 7 standard proposal

On 9 November 2022, the Commission proposed a new emissions standard for road vehicles: Euro 7. The new rules will further reduce air pollution from new motor vehicles sold in the EU (both light-duty and heavy-duty) in line with the green deal’s zero-pollution ambition. They will apply for a much longer period of the life of a vehicle than before. 

Euro 7 will also regulate emissions from tyres and brakes for the first time worldwide. To support electrification, the proposal also includes a new procedure and limits for the battery durability. 

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

Supporting information

Light-duty vehicles

Heavy-duty vehicles

  • Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/2383 of 6 December 2022 amending Regulation (EU) No 582/2011 as regards the emissions type-approval of heavy duty vehicles using pure biodiesel
  • Commission Regulation (EU) 2022/1379 of 5 July 2022 amending Regulation (EU) 2017/2400 as regards the determination of the CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of medium and heavy lorries and heavy buses and to introduce electric vehicles and other new technologies
  • 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)