03/2004 Euro V and Euro VI emission standards

Since the early 1990s, the EURO emission standards for passenger cars and other vehicles have initiated a significant reduction in air pollution per driven kilometre. They describe the maximum tailpipe emissions for all new cars sold in the European Union. Nevertheless, the overall traffic growth and the lax standards for diesel en- gines have limited the environmental success of the EURO standards. Further im- provements of combustion technologies are possible but limited.

In 2003 the discussion of new EURO standards began, which might enter into force by 2010. Diesel emissions are the crucial elements. Emission control technologies (particle filters, catalytic converters) are available but expensive.