The road haulage industry is being consulted by the European Commission (EC) on its favoured scope and timetable for introducing Euro-6 emission standards for heavy trucks (exceeding 2.8 tonnes). Brussels has outlined four options capping nitrogen oxides (NOx), hydrocarbons and particulate matter (PM):
Option A - matching standards in the US this requires a higher rate of cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and more efficient selective
catalytic reduction (SCR). The increased recirculation would however consume additional fuel, boosting CO2 emissions, perhaps by 2%
Option B - this is tougher on NOx emissions for diesel engines but easier on PM. However this would require even more recirculation, boosting CO2 by 5%- 6%
Option C - the most lax of the proposals for NOx, with the benefit that CO2 emissions would not rise
Option D - another looser proposal for NOx, but closer to US standards than option C, also keeping CO2 emissions stable.
The EC should release its formal proposals for Euro-6 standards for trucks and buses by the end of this year, to be considered separately to those for cars and light vans. EU industry commissioner Günter Verheugen says the proposals would be "good for the health of our citizens and the environment".
