PURPOSE: to tighten the maximum emission levels in the Community from diesel-powered lorries as well as limiting values for heavy-duty engines fuelled by natural gas (NG) and liquified petroleum gas (LPG).
COMMUNITY MEASURE: Directive 1999/96/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, modifying Directive 1988/77/EC.
CONTENT: The main provisions of the Directive are as follows:
- the Directive includes one stage of binding emission limit values to come into force in 2000 but also two further stages, which will apply from 2005 and 2008 respectively (the latter for NOx only;
- the emission limits agreed for 2000 would amount to a reduction of 30% of pollutants (carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, particulates; hydrocarbon emissions would even by cut by 34%), compared to the current level. They would apply to newly approved engine types for heavy duty vechicles from 01.10.2000 and to all such vehicles newly registered from 01.10.2001;
- the limits set for 2005 would result in an overall reduction of pollutants by about half (and in the case of particulates even more), compared to today;
- specific (stricter) values for extra low emission vehicles (also known as "enhanced environmentally friendly vehicles" - EEVs) are set in view of their contribution to reducing atmospheric pollution in cities;
- emission limit values set for 2005 and 2008 will require all new diesel-powered heavy duty vehicles to be fitted with so-called exhaust after-treatment technology (e.g. special filters called "particulate traps" and deNOx catalysts).
- from 01.10.2008, the limit value for NOx will be 2.0 for engines having a swept volume of less than 0.75dm3 per cylinder and a rated power speed of more than 3000 min-1.
- for diesel engines that are additionally tested on the ETC test, and specifically for gas engines, the limit values (where applicable) shall not exceed set amounts.
- from 01.10.2008, the limit value for NOx will be 2.0:
a) for natural gas engines only:
b) not applicable for gas fuelled engines at stage A (2000) and stage B (2005)
c) for engines having a swept volume of less than 0.75dm3 per cylinder and a rated power speed of more than 3000 min-1.
- for the type approval of new vehicles with diesel engines according to the year 2000 limit values, manufacturers have the choice between either of these tests. For type approval according to the 2005 limit values and for EEVs, the emissions shall be determined on both the ETC and the ESC/ELR tests.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: 16/02/2000
DATE OF TRANSPOSITION: 01/07/2000.�