OBJECTIVE: to amend Directive 88/77/EEC to adopt stricter limits on emissions from heavy
goods vehicle engines.
SUBSTANCE: the proposal steps up Community requirements regarding limits on emissions of
pollutants from new diesel engines for heavy goods vehicles. These requirements are based on
Directive 88/77/EEC as last amended by Directive 96/1/EC. The proposal also lays down new
requirements concerning emissions of pollutants from new engines for heavy goods vehicles fuelled
by natural gas (NG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
The proposal is in complete harmony with the conclusions of the Auto-Oil I programme, which
recommended that limits for emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulates from heavy goods
vehicles should be reduced by 30% in relation to the limits applicable in 1996.
The specification of a reference diesel fuel in Annex IV to the proposal follows directly from the
common position of the Council of June 1997 on emissions from private cars. The proposal is also
compatible with the common position of the Council of June 1997 on the quality of petrol and
diesel fuels available on the market in the year 2000.
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