92003E0369

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0369/03

by Luciano Caveri (ELDR) to the Commission

(12 February 2003)

Subject: Bringing forward the deadline for introducing less polluting lorry engines

In the current wide-ranging debate on transport policy, and with particular reference to the excessive use of road transport, European efforts to introduce less polluting lorry engines are still of topical interest. With a view to the entry into service of Euro 4 standard engines and looking ahead to Euro 5, can the Commission say whether the process of introducing these engines onto the market can be speeded up and what mechanisms may be envisaged for the renewal of fleets of lorries?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(21 March 2003)

Directive 1999/96/EC(1) (amending Directive 88/77/EEC(2)) introduced the mandatory Euro 4 and Euro 5 pollutant emission limits. Article 3 of Directive 1999/96/EC provides the framework for the granting of tax incentives by the Member States to encourage the earlier introduction of new vehicles and engines that meet the future emission limits of Euro 4 or Euro 5. Aside from this framework, there is no other process for speeding-up the introduction of new Euro 4 or Euro 5 vehicles and engines to the market.

Manufacturers are now finalising their Euro 4 vehicles and engines where the main emphasis is on the reduction of particulate emissions. While a forthcoming Commission proposal will add several new technical tests to the Euro 4 package, as required by Directive 1999/96/EC, it can be expected that tax incentives offered in Member States will soon result in the introduction of vehicles and engines meeting the Euro 4 emission limits.

Vehicles complying with the Euro 5 emission limits (only a more stringent limit for oxides of nitrogen the limits for other pollutants remain the same as for Euro 4) are unlikely to appear for some time yet. The technology that is favoured by the European industry to comply with the Euro 5 emission limits requires the provision of an infrastructure for the supply of a necessary additive that is a critical element for the correct functioning of that technology.

(1) Directive 1999/96/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 1999 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to measures to be taken against the emission of gaseous and particulate pollutants from compression ignition engines for use in vehicles, and the emission of gaseous pollutants from positive ignition engines fuelled with natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas for use in vehicles and amending Council Directive 88/77/EEC OJ L 44, 16.2.2000.

(2) Council Directive 88/77/EEC of 3 December 1987 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the measures to be taken against the emission of gaseous pollutants from diesel engines for use in vehicles OJ L 36, 9.2.1988.