Report on the effects of the Euro 5 Environmental Step for L-category vehicles

Background and further information:

Regulation (EU) No 168/2013 sets out Euro 4 and Euro 5 emission limits and the associated technical requirements and test procedures with respect to the Euro 5 step, to provide vehicle manufacturers and the supplier industry with longterm planning predictability. Together with its four delegated and implementing acts it forms a comprehensive package of measures for the safety, emissions control and placing on the market of such vehicles.

Annex IV to the Regulation sets the timetable for the introduction of the different tests and other technical requirements in respect of type-approval. The Euro 4 emission limits were introduced for new vehicles of certain subcategories on 1 January 2016 but it was only on 1 January 2017 that these limits became mandatory for all new types of vehicles. The Regulation provides that the Euro 5 emission limits shall become mandatory for all new types of vehicles of all sub-categories as of 1 January 2020.

In order to underpin this two-step approach, the Regulation requires the Commission to conduct an environmental effect study through modelling, technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness analysis based on the latest available data. The objective of this study is to evaluate and confirm the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the Euro 5 emission limits. By gathering and analysing the latest available data and research findings, the study should substantiate the adoption of further policy measures which would amend and complement the existing framework.

The environmental effect study was commissioned to an external consultant – a consortium led by TNO - after a call for tenders. The final report of the study was submitted on 18 May 2017 and approved by the Commission on 20 July 2017. Based on the findings of this study, the Commission is presenting this report to the European Parliament, accompanied by a proposal to amend Regulation (EU) No 168/2013.