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In a nutshell, vehicle emissions standards are rules set by governments to limit the amount of pollution cars, lorries and other vehicles can produce. These standards focus on harmful gases like carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter that come from engines and contribute to air pollution and climate change.
What do EU laws say about CO2 emission standards?
In the 1990s, the EU brought in emissions standards setting limits on how much harmful gases vehicles could release per kilometre. Car manufacturers must now ensure the average emissions emitted by their new vehicles stay below a certain threshold, which has become stricter over time.
These laws are designed to reduce pollution, encourage cleaner technologies like electric vehicles and help tackle climate change.
Why is it important to have carbon emissions standards for business travel?
Carbon emissions standards can help you reduce the environmental impact of your company’s business travel and support your sustainable practices.
Business travel, especially by car or air, often generates significant carbon emissions that contribute to climate change. By adhering to emissions standards, your company can lower its carbon footprint, encourage the use of greener travel options and support innovation in low-emission transportation technologies.
Additionally, meeting these standards demonstrates a commitment to corporate social responsibility, aligns with global sustainability goals and can even lead to cost savings through more efficient travel practices.
What types of Euro emissions standards exist?
Euro emissions standards are a series of regulations established by the European Union to limit harmful emissions from vehicles. They apply to different types of vehicles, categorised as follows:
Passenger Cars (M1 Category)
Light Commercial Vehicles (N1 Category)
Heavy-Duty Vehicles (HDVs)
Two- and Three-Wheelers (L Category)
Non-Road Mobile Machinery (NRMM)
Each successive Euro standard has introduced tighter limits, pushing manufacturers to adopt cleaner technologies and improve air quality across the EU and beyond.
Euro 1 Emissions Standards
The Euro 1 emissions standards, introduced in 1992, were the first set of EU-wide regulations aimed at reducing vehicle pollution. These standards required all new cars sold in the European Union to meet specific limits for harmful emissions like carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
Key features included:
A requirement for all petrol cars to be equipped with a catalytic converter, which reduces harmful emissions by converting them into less harmful substances
Introduction of a limit of 2.72 g per kilometre (g/km) for carbon monoxide (CO) and 0.97 g/km for combined hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) for petrol cars
Diesel cars were also required to limit particulate matter (PM) emissions to 0.14 g/km
Euro 2 Emissions Standards
The Euro 2 emissions standards, introduced in 1996, built on the foundations of Euro 1 by imposing stricter limits on harmful vehicle emissions.
Key features included:
Lower Emission Limits:
Petrol cars: CO 2.2 g/km; combined HC and NOx 0.5 g/km
Diesel cars: CO 1.0 g/km, combined HC and NOx 0.7 g/km and PM 0.08 g/km
Separate Limits for Diesel HC and NOx
Promotion of Cleaner Technologies
Euro 3 Emissions Standards
The Euro 3 emissions standards, introduced in 2000, marked another significant step in reducing vehicle emissions across Europe.
Key features included:
Stricter Emission Limits:
Petrol Cars: CO 2.3 g/km, combined HC and NOx 0.2 g/km
Diesel Cars: CO 0.64 g/km, HC 0.56 g/km, NOx 0.5 g/km, PM 0.05 g/km
Separate NOx and HC Limits for Petrol Cars
Elimination of the Warm-Up Period
Euro 4 Emissions Standards
Introduced in 2005, key features included:
Further reduced limits:
Petrol Cars: CO 1.0 g/km, HC 0.1 g/km, NOx 0.08 g/km
Diesel Cars: CO 0.5 g/km, HC 0.3 g/km, NOx 0.25 g/km, PM 0.025 g/km
Focus on Diesel Vehicle Emissions
Promotion of Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs)
Euro 5 Emissions Standards
Introduced in 2009, key features included:
Further reduced limits:
Petrol Cars: CO 1.0 g/km, HC 0.1 g/km, NOx 0.06 g/km
Diesel Cars: CO 0.5 g/km, HC 0.23 g/km, NOx 0.18 g/km, PM 0.005 g/km
Introduction of Particle Number (PN) Limits
Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs)
Preparation for Advanced Technologies
Impact on Light Commercial Vehicles
Euro 6 Emissions Standards
Introduced in 2014, key features included:
Further reduced limits:
Petrol Cars: CO 1.0 g/km, HC 0.1 g/km, NOx 0.06 g/km, PM 0.005 g/km
Diesel Cars: CO 0.5 g/km, HC 0.17 g/km, NOx 0.08 g/km, PM 0.005 g/km
Real Driving Emissions (RDE) Testing
Particle Number (PN) Limits for Petrol Engines
Advanced Emissions Technologies
Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) mandated to meet PM limits
Variants and Updates: Euro 6 has multiple phases, including Euro 6c, 6d-TEMP and 6d, each introducing tighter limits and refined testing protocols.
What are the penalties for excess emissions?
In the EU, vehicle manufacturers face significant penalties for exceeding emissions standards. These fines can amount to €95 per gram over the limits, multiplied by the total number of vehicles sold. Non-compliance can also lead to recalls, bans on vehicle sales or damage of reputation, encouraging strict adherence to environmental regulations.
Eco-innovations in sustainable business travel
Innovative eco-business travel management companies like FREENOW can help make your company’s business travel more sustainable. They offer eco-friendly travel options like electric vehicles (EVs), hybrids and shared rides, allowing you to reduce your per journey emissions.
Through its app, business travellers can prioritise greener choices like tracking CO₂ emissions. FREENOW also partners with renewable energy and sustainability initiatives, encouraging a shift towards low-emission transportation solutions for corporate mobility.
To discover more ways of making your business travel more sustainable, check out our dedicated article
