Iveco chief executive officer Paulo Monferino has called for a two-year deferral on the forthcoming Euro-6 emission legislation.
Speaking at the annual European Automobile Manufacturers' Association's (ACEA) annual transport policy event he asked for a reassessment of Euro-6 in light of the unforeseen negative global warming aspects of vehicles certified to the standard.
It is claimed in some quarters that the standards will require the engine to consume more fuel and significantly increase vehicle price due to research and development.
Monferino believes that more emphasis should be put on getting the most polluting trucks off the road through fiscal measures - it is estimated that almost half of all vehicles in circulation within the four main European markets are older than the Euro-3 standard.
He also outlined the importance of using second-generation renewable fuels that are not in competition with food crops and are suitable for use by CVs, togther with identifying the vehicle technologies he believes are most suitable for urban transport.
These include electric vehicles, diesel/electric hybrids, CNG vehicles capable of running on bio-methane, and current diesel engines with EEV certification.