European vehicle emission legislation - present and future

The Commission's Auto-Oil programme provided a framework for the development of future emission standards for motor vehicles based on sound science, technology capability, environmental need and cost effectiveness. Proposals developed from the results of the Auto-Oil programme paved the way for the agreement within the European Union of new emission standards for passenger cars, light commercial vehicles and heavy duty vehicles. These will be applied from 2000, 2005 and 2005, together with complimentary measures on fuel quality to take effect from 2000 and 2005. While decisions reached in the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament have, to some extent, circumvented the Auto-Oil II programme, the programme has continued the co-operative approach to future legislation by developing a coherent strategy to permit the achievement of necessary air quality targets at the lowest cost for society.