Vehicle Emissions: Eu Air Quality Laws Violated

Vehicle emissions are a pressing issue in the EU, with transport-related air pollution posing significant risks to human health and the environment. The EU has implemented various measures to improve air quality, including the 2008 Air Quality Directive, which aimed to streamline and tighten legislation on pollution and air standards. Despite these efforts, 23 EU countries have been reported to be breaking European air quality laws, with over 130 cities exceeding the permitted levels of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. The sources of these emissions are diverse, including vehicle exhaust, power plants, and industrial activities. The consequences of poor air quality are severe, causing illnesses such as asthma, cardiovascular problems, and even lung cancer, with vulnerable groups being the most affected. To address this challenge, the EU has set ambitious targets for reducing emissions and transitioning to cleaner technologies, demonstrating its commitment to protecting the health and well-being of its citizens.

EU vehicle emissions regulations have failed to address nitrogen oxide emissions by diesel engines

EU vehicle emissions regulations have failed to adequately address nitrogen oxide emissions by diesel engines. This is due to a combination of factors, including historical decisions favouring diesel technology, discrepancies between lab and road tests, and a lack of stringent standards and effective enforcement mechanisms.

Firstly, Europe has a unique relationship with diesel technology, with historical decisions favouring its use. As a result, Europe has become a "diesel island", with a higher proportion of diesel vehicles on its roads than any other region in the world. This has contributed to high levels of nitrogen oxide emissions, as diesel engines are typically less fuel-efficient and produce more pollutants than their petrol counterparts.

Secondly, there has been a persistent gap between laboratory and on-road emissions tests for diesel vehicles. While the introduction of Real Driving Emissions (RDE) testing and portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS) in 2017 aimed to address this issue, political interference has watered down the effectiveness of these measures. Manufacturers have been provided with additional lead time, delaying the implementation of much-needed emission reductions. As a result, diesel cars are likely to continue over-emitting nitrogen oxides until the 2020s, posing significant challenges for improving local air quality, especially in low-emission zones.

Furthermore, the EU's emission standards, while becoming more stringent over time, have failed to adequately curb nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel engines. The current Euro 6 standard, introduced in 2014, allows diesel vehicles to emit up to 0.08 g/km of nitrogen oxides, which is significantly higher than the limit for petrol vehicles (0.06 g/km). This discrepancy in standards has contributed to the excessive nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel engines.

Additionally, there have been instances of car manufacturers manipulating emissions data or utilizing defeat devices to circumvent emissions regulations. The Volkswagen emissions scandal in 2015 brought this issue to light, revealing that the company had deliberately falsified emission reports by programming engines to detect test conditions and change emissions controls accordingly. This incident highlighted the need for more robust enforcement and oversight of emissions standards.

To address these failures, a substantial update to the European regulatory framework regarding automotive emissions is required. More ambitious targets and the inclusion of non-exhaust emissions, such as brake dust and tyre particle pollution, in future standards like Euro 7 are necessary steps towards reducing nitrogen oxide emissions from diesel engines.

Vehicle emissions are the leading cause of air pollution in the EU, affecting human health and ecosystems

Passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (vans) are major sources of EU emissions, with cars responsible for around 16% and vans for 3% of total EU emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), the primary greenhouse gas driving climate change. The EU has set CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and vans to address this issue, and stricter targets have been in place since 2020. As a result, average CO2 emissions from new passenger cars registered in Europe fell by 27% between 2019 and 2022, while van emissions dropped by 10%.

The surge in zero-emission vehicles has been a critical driver of this decrease, and the EU has strengthened its emission reduction targets for 2030 and set a 100% emission reduction goal for both cars and vans from 2035 onwards. These targets are expected to contribute significantly to the EU's goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. However, historical decisions favoring diesel technology have made Europe unique in this regard, and the impact of diesel engines on air quality is a significant concern.

In addition to the climate impact, vehicle emissions also affect air quality at a local level. Fine particles, such as PM2.5, formed by toxic exhaust from vehicles, power plants, and refuse burning, pose a significant health risk. Health advocates argue that the cost of cutting emissions through better technologies and renewable fuels would be offset by savings in treating health complications caused by poor air quality.

To further tackle air pollution, the EU has established ambient air quality standards and emission standards for key pollution sources. The EU's zero-pollution ambition, set out in the European Green Deal, aims to protect citizens and ecosystems. However, as of 2024, 23 EU countries were reported to be breaking European air quality laws, with more than 130 cities across 23 of the 28 member states failing to meet the standards. The EU continues to work towards improving air quality and protecting human health and the environment, but vehicle emissions remain a significant challenge.

EU laws regulate emissions of air pollutants from various sources, including vehicles

The EU has a comprehensive clean air policy based on three pillars: ambient air quality standards, reducing air pollution emissions, and emissions standards for key sources of pollution. EU rules set national reduction commitments for five main air pollutants: particulate matter (PM 2.5), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds, and ammonia (NH3).

EU laws regulating emissions from transport and mobility include directives and regulations that set standards and requirements for vehicles, fuels, and engines. For example, the EU has set CO2 emission performance standards for new passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, and there are directives relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels, as well as the reduction of sulphur content in certain liquid fuels. The approval and surveillance of motor vehicles and their components are also regulated by the EU.

Despite these regulations, Europe has become a "diesel island," with diesel engines being a major source of harmful nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx). This has resulted in almost every European citizen breathing in air deemed harmful to human health. While there have been some improvements, such as the significant reduction in transport volumes during the COVID-19 pandemic, overall, emissions from transport in the EU have decreased since 1990.

EU policies aim to reduce emissions of air pollutants and set national reduction commitments

The EU's clean air policy aims to improve air quality and tackle air pollution to protect human health and the environment. The EU has established air quality standards that all member countries must achieve.

EU rules set national reduction commitments for five main air pollutants: nitrogen oxides (NOx), non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs), sulphur dioxide (SO2), ammonia (NH3), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). These pollutants have detrimental effects on human health and the environment. The National Emission Reduction Commitments Directive (NEC Directive) sets obligations for EU member states to reduce national emissions of these five pollutants.

The NEC Directive is a crucial legislative instrument within the framework of the European Green Deal, supporting the zero-pollution ambition to achieve a toxic-free environment. It aims to reduce the number of premature deaths and sicknesses caused by air pollution and alleviate the pressure of pollution on ecosystems and biodiversity. The directive requires member states to develop and implement National Air Pollution Control Programmes (NAPCPs), which should include measures to reduce emissions from relevant sectors and improve air quality.

In 2022, 16 member states met their respective 2020-2029 national emission reduction commitments for each of the five main air pollutants. However, 11 member states failed to do so for at least one pollutant. Achieving further reductions for 2030 and beyond will be challenging, especially for ammonia emissions, which have only slightly decreased or even increased in many member states since 2005.

To meet the 2030 targets related to air pollution under the Zero Pollution Action Plan, it is vital that EU member states step up their efforts and meet their respective emission reduction commitments. This includes implementing more effective policies, particularly in the agriculture sector, which is the principal source of ammonia emissions.

The EU's clean air policy is based on three pillars: ambient air quality standards, reducing air pollution emissions, and emissions standards for key sources of pollution. The EU provides financial support to member countries to implement clean air-related policies and strives to achieve its zero-pollution vision by 2050.

The EU has a comprehensive clean air policy, including ambient air quality standards and emissions standards for key pollution sources

The EU's clean air policy aims to improve air quality and tackle air pollution to protect the environment and human health. Clean air is essential to our health and the environment, but air quality has deteriorated significantly due to human activities, notably industry, energy production, domestic heating, agriculture, and transport.

To address this, the EU has implemented a comprehensive clean air policy based on three pillars:

Ambient Air Quality Standards

The EU has established standards that all member countries must achieve. The Ambient Air Quality Directive sets standards for 12 air pollutants, including fine particulate matter (PM2.5), sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone. These directives define methods for monitoring, assessing, and informing the public about ambient air quality. The EU aims to align its air quality standards with World Health Organization recommendations.

Reducing Air Pollution Emissions

The EU has set national reduction commitments for five main air pollutants: nitrogen oxides, non-methane volatile organic compounds, sulphur dioxide, ammonia, and fine particulate matter. The National Emission reduction Commitments Directive (NECD) outlines these commitments, and member states are expected to prepare air quality plans to address exceedances.

Emissions Standards for Key Sources of Pollution

The EU has laws regulating emissions from various sources, including industry, energy production, domestic heating, agriculture, and transport. The National Emissions Ceiling (NEC) Directive sets post-2020 national emissions ceilings for several air pollutants, including particulate matter and nitrogen oxide.

Frequently asked questions