EN Official Journal of the European Union CE 78/566

(2004/C 78 E/0601)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3502/03

by Michl Ebner (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(24 November 2003)

Subject: Air quality standards in areas of heavy traffic

Increasing levels of traffic and the atmospheric and noise pollution associated with these increases are a regular topic for discussion in South Tyrol, which is a transit region. The limit values for particulates and nitrogen oxides need to be tightened up, and stricter emission controls are necessary. Fine dust particles absorb toxic substances, accumulate in the lungs and cause severe respiratory diseases, and these noxious emissions are mainly caused by heavy goods traffic on transit routes. Although particulate filters are available for lorries, they are seldom used, and the same is true for buses and trains, which, although thought of as environmentally friendly forms of transport, use engines which no longer meet current emission standards.

What steps are being taken to reduce pollution?

Will limit values be set which reflect the increasing levels of traffic?

Why are stricter checks of engine emissions not being introduced?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(14 January 2004)

Directive 1999/96/EC (1) introduced new emission requirements for new heavy-duty vehicles in two stages. The Euro 4 stage, due to be mandatory from October 2006 for all new heavy-duty vehicles, will lower the emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOX) by some 30 % compared to the present legal requirements while the emission of particulates will be lowered by some 80 %. A second mandatory stage (Euro 5) will apply to all new heavy-duty vehicles from October 2009 and this will result in a lowering of NOX by a total of 60 % compared to the present legal requirements. Now, the Commission is investigating a further stage of emission reduction for heavy-duty vehicles, concentrating on the primary pollutants NOX and particulates. Further reductions could be foreseen in a Euro 6 stage in the timeframe 2012-2013.

These limit values apply to new vehicles that first enter into service on the roads of the Union. The Commission has no plans to introduce new vehicle emission standards that vary as traffic levels increase. However, the scientific programme of work that may lead to the definition of a Commission proposal for the Euro 6 stage takes into account the increase in traffic throughout the Union and in regional areas.

Stricter checks of emissions are being supplemented by the introduction of new technical measures for onboard diagnostic (OBD) systems on heavy-duty vehicles. OBD is to be a part of the Euro 4 stage from 2006. OBD will monitor non-compliance of emissions in real-time and inform the driver and repair garage if there is a problem with the emission control systems that needs attention. The Commission is also working on a new method for checking the in-use conformity of heavy-duty vehicles in service through the use of portable emission monitoring systems (PEMS) which will supplement the technical measures of the Euro 4 stage.

(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.