Press Release: Vehicle noise to be reduced

The European Commission proposed on the 9 December to reduce noise produced by cars, vans, buses, coaches, light and heavy trucks. Noise limit values would be lowered in two steps of each 2 dB(A) for passenger cars, vans, buses and coaches. For trucks the reduction would be 1 dB(A) in the first step and 2 dB(A) in the second step. The first step would apply two years after the publication of the text once approved by the EP and Member States and the second step would be foreseen three years thereafter. Altogether, these measures should reduce vehicle noise nuisance by some 25%.

In addition, the Commission intended to introduce a new and more reliable test method to measure sound emissions. Moreover it was proposed that electric and hybrid electric vehicles could be fitted optionally with sound generating devices which would make these cars safer.

• Primary Source