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The Euro emissions standards are a set of regulations developed by the European Commission to reduce pollution and improve fuel economy. These standards define acceptable limits for exhaust emissions from new light-duty vehicles sold in EU and EEA member states, with the aim of becoming more stringent over time. The first EU-wide standard, Euro 1, was introduced in 1992 and made catalytic converters compulsory on new cars. Since then, several iterations of the standards have been implemented, with Euro 7, which includes non-exhaust emissions, agreed upon in 2024 and set to come into force in 2026. These standards have helped to significantly reduce pollution, and many cities use them to restrict older, more polluting vehicles from entering low-emission zones.
Car Fuel Standards in Europe
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To reduce the levels of harmful exhaust emissions |
| Vehicle Categories | M1, M2, N1, N2 |
| Vehicle Types | Cars, light commercial vehicles (vans), trucks (lorries), locomotives, tractors, barges |
| Emissions | Nitrogen oxides (NOx), total hydrocarbon (THC), non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM) |
| Emission Standards | Euro 1, Euro 2, Euro 3, Euro 4, Euro 5, Euro 6, Euro 7 |
| CO2 Emission Performance Standards | Regulation (EU) 2019/631 |
| CO2 Emission Targets | 100% emission reduction target for cars and vans from 2035 onwards |
| Fuel Types | Diesel, gasoline, LPG, biodiesel |
| Fuel Properties | Lead content, sulfur content, cetane number, fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) |
| Fuel Standards | EN 590 (diesel), EN 228 (gasoline), EN 589 (LPG) |
| Fuel Grades | Temperature Climate Grades, Arctic Classes |
| Fuel Codes | Diesel fuel: 2710 19 41, Gas oils: 2710 19 41 or 2710 19 45 |
| Sulphur Limits | 0.5% by 2020 for fuels in European seas, 0.1% by 2015 for fuels in the Baltic Sea, North Sea and English Channel |
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What You'll Learn
Euro 1 to Euro 7 standards
Euro vehicle emission standards were introduced by the European Commission to monitor and check the exhaust emissions of new vehicles. The standards were established in 1992 to limit the level of exhaust emissions a petrol or diesel vehicle can produce, thus reducing its impact on the environment.
Euro 1
The first EU-wide standard, Euro 1, was introduced in 1992, making catalytic converters compulsory on new cars and effectively standardising fuel injection.
Euro 2
Euro 2 was introduced in 1996 for passenger cars.
Euro 3
Euro 3 was introduced on 1 January 2001. It modified the vehicle test procedure to eliminate the time it takes for the engine to warm up and to reduce carbon monoxide and diesel particulate emissions.
Euro 4
Euro 4 came out on 1 January 2005 and brought tougher sanctions to tackle emissions from diesel engines, which were becoming popular due to their excellent fuel economy. Many cars were fitted with diesel particulate filters to reduce particulate matter.
Euro 5
Euro 5 was introduced on 1 January 2011 for diesel vehicles and in September 2009 for petrol cars. It reduced the limit on nitrogen oxides from diesel-powered cars by 28%, and diesel particulate filters (DPFs) were needed for all diesel-powered vehicles to meet the new requirements.
Euro 6
Euro 6 was launched on 1 September 2015 and affected both petrol and diesel cars, with a bigger focus on the nitrogen oxides (NOx) produced by diesel vehicles. It introduced a liquid-reduction agent called Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) that is injected into a diesel vehicle's exhaust system to make them cleaner.
Euro 7
Euro 7 was agreed upon in 2024 and is due to come into force in 2026. It will be the strictest standard yet, introducing the lowest limits across all new petrol and diesel cars. All new cars sold from 2025 will need to emit no more than 60 milligrams of NOx to be compliant. Euro 7 will also restrict the amount of brake dust and tyre particulates released by all new cars and will focus on the performance and longevity of batteries in electric and hybrid vehicles.
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Sulphur content in fuels
The 'Euro' emissions standards are developed by the European Commission to reduce pollution and keep older, more polluting vehicles out of cities. These standards are designed to become more stringent over time.
The Euro standards define acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new light-duty vehicles sold in EU and EEA (European Economic Area) member states. The first EU-wide standard, Euro 1, was introduced in 1992 and made catalytic converters compulsory on new cars, effectively standardising fuel injection.
The European Union is gradually reducing emissions of sulphur dioxide resulting from the combustion of heavy fuel oils and certain liquid fuels derived from petroleum. Sulphur is naturally present in small quantities in petroleum and coal. Sulphur dioxide (SO2) has been recognised as a major cause of "acid rain" and air pollution in urban and industrial areas. It has also been recognised that SO2 emissions contribute to the formation of secondary inorganic aerosol gases, fine particles which are harmful to human health.
In 2004, the European Parliament adopted Stage III/IV standards. As of 1 January 2015, EU Member States have been required to ensure that ships in the Baltic, the North Sea, and the English Channel use fuels with a sulphur content of no more than 0.10%. Higher sulphur contents are permitted if appropriate exhaust cleaning systems are in place.
Directive 2005/33/EC is a European Union strategy to reduce air pollution from ships. It provides for limiting the sulphur content of marine fuels used by vessels in the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, and the English Channel to 1.5% by mass, to reduce acidification and improve air quality.
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Carbon dioxide emissions
The European Union's (EU) vehicle emissions standards, known as Euro 1 to Euro 7, aim to limit the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted by cars. These standards are designed to become more stringent over time, reducing the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions from new light-duty vehicles sold in EU and European Economic Area (EEA) member states.
Within the EU, transport is the biggest emitter of CO2, with road transport alone responsible for about one-fifth of total emissions. Passenger cars alone account for around 12% of EU CO2 emissions. To address this, the EU has implemented regulations that set CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and vans. These regulations aim to reduce emissions by setting stricter targets and promoting the use of zero-emission vehicles.
The first EU-wide standard, Euro 1, was introduced in 1992, making catalytic converters compulsory on new cars and standardising fuel injection. Since then, a series of Euro emissions standards have been introduced, with Euro 6 being the current standard for new cars as of 2024. Euro 6 has four different versions, with the latest update, Euro 6d, becoming a requirement in January 2021.
In recent years, there has been a push for more stringent standards and the introduction of Euro 7. In 2024, EU countries formally approved Euro 7, which is expected to come into force in 2026. Euro 7 will include non-exhaust emissions such as particulates from tyres and brakes, addressing a gap in previous standards. While there have been delays in its implementation, civil society groups have emphasised the urgency of reducing emissions from polluting cars.
To monitor and enforce these standards, the EU collects real-world data on CO2 emissions and fuel consumption using on-board monitoring devices. Additionally, the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) was introduced in 2017 to provide a more realistic understanding of fuel economy and emissions, reflecting real-world driving performance. These measures ensure that vehicles comply with the Euro emissions standards, helping to reduce pollution and improve air quality across Europe.
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Greenhouse gas emissions
The Euro standards are a set of regulations that aim to limit the amount of CO2 emitted by cars. These standards are designed to become more stringent over time and define acceptable limits for exhaust emissions from new light-duty vehicles sold in EU and EEA (European Economic Area) member states. The regulations were first introduced in 1992, with the Euro 1 standard making catalytic converters compulsory on new cars and effectively standardising fuel injection. Since then, a series of Euro emissions standards have been introduced, with the current standard, Euro 6, being introduced in 2014. Euro 6 has four different versions, with the latest update, Euro 6d, being made mandatory in January 2021.
The Euro standards have helped reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in Europe. Road transport is a major contributor to EU CO2 emissions, accounting for about one-fifth of total emissions in 2009. Passenger cars alone are responsible for around 12% of EU CO2 emissions. To address this issue, the EU has implemented regulations that set CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and vans. These regulations, known as Regulation (EU) 2019/631, came into force on January 1, 2020, and replaced the former regulations for cars and vans. As a result of these stricter CO2 emission targets, the average CO2 emissions from all new passenger cars registered in Europe fell by 27% between 2019 and 2022.
In addition to the Euro standards, the EU has also introduced the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) in 2017 to measure fuel economy and emissions. This test procedure is designed to more closely reflect real-world driving performance and provide a more realistic understanding of how much fuel a car uses and how much it emits. The EU is also taking steps to collect real-world data on CO2 emissions and fuel consumption from cars and vans using on-board fuel consumption monitoring (OBFCM) devices, starting with vehicles first registered in 2021.
To further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the EU has set ambitious targets for the coming decades. By 2030, the EU aims to achieve a net reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and contribute to reaching at least 55% net greenhouse gas emission reductions compared to 1990. By 2050, the EU aims to achieve climate neutrality. To meet these goals, the EU is encouraging the use of zero-emission vehicles and stimulating innovation in zero-emission technologies. The Euro 7 standard, which includes non-exhaust emissions such as particulates from tyres and brakes, is also expected to come into force in 2026.
While the Euro standards have been successful in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, there are still some challenges and discrepancies. For example, the implementation of Euro 7 has been delayed, leading to concerns from civil society groups about the continued presence of polluting cars on EU roads. Additionally, there are local and city-level variations in the enforcement of Euro standards, with some cities banning even the "cleaner" Euro 6 diesel vehicles from entering their boundaries. Nevertheless, the Euro standards remain an important tool in Europe's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change.
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Low emission zones
LEZs are one of the key ways cities can reduce emissions from road traffic, which is one of the main sources of pollution in towns and cities. Air pollution can lead to poor health and even death, and it has huge costs, both in health and money. In Europe, air pollution is responsible for 310,000 premature deaths each year.
The Euro 'emissions standards' are developed by the European Commission to reduce pollution. Many cities use these standards to keep older, more polluting vehicles out of the cities. These are often called low-emission zones. While there is no uniform regulation on low-emission zones in the European Union, the Euro standards help countries and cities meet their air quality targets.
Some countries with low-emission zones include:
- France: In 15 towns and cities, you need a Crit'air sticker (an air quality certificate) to drive during pollution peaks or in certain defined areas. A number of French towns have also introduced limited traffic zones to reduce or ban car traffic in city centres.
- Belgium: There are three environmental zones (or low-emission zones) in Brussels, Antwerp, and Ghent. If your vehicle does not meet the criteria, permission may be granted (up to 8 times a year) through a daily pass.
- Germany: In some German towns and cities, it is compulsory to have an environmental sticker ("Umweltplakette") on your windscreen.
- Italy: Some Italian cities have set up limited traffic zones ("Zona Traffico Limitato") to ban cars from historic city centres.
- Norway: There are eco-zones in three of Norway's major cities: Oslo, Bergen, and Kristiansand. To enter, you must pay a toll, the amount of which depends on the level of pollution your vehicle emits.
- Spain: Since January 2023, new low-emission zones have been introduced in 149 towns and cities, including Madrid, Barcelona, Cordoba, and Seville.
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Frequently asked questions
The car fuel standards in Europe are called the 'Euro' emissions standards. They are developed by the European Commission and have been in place since 1992, with the Euro 1 standard. The standards are designed to become more stringent over time to reduce pollution and limit emissions.
The current standard is Euro 6, with Euro 7 due to come into force in 2026. Euro 6 has various sub-stages, including Euro 6c, 6d-TEMP, and Euro6d, which represent different testing standards.
The emissions limits for cars in Europe are set by the European Union and vary depending on the vehicle type. For example, the average CO2 emissions target for new passenger cars is 130 grams per kilometre, while diesel cars must emit a maximum of 130 g/km, and other fuel types a maximum of 140 g/km.
You can usually find the Euro standard for your car on the vehicle registration papers. It may also be found on the car door frame. Alternatively, the vehicle age and type will indicate the Euro standard for most petrol or diesel-fuelled vehicles.
