European emission standards
European emission standards define the acceptable limits for exhaust emissions of new vehicles sold in EU member states. The emission standards are defined in a series of European Union directives staging the progressive introduction of increasingly stringent standards. Simplified chart showing the progression of European emission standards for Diesel cars. Currently, emissions of nitrogen oxides (NO x ), total hydrocarbon (THC), non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), carbon monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) are regulated for most vehicle types , including cars, lorries, trains, tractors and similar machinery, barges , but excluding seagoing ships and aeroplanes. For each vehicle type, different standards apply. Compliance is determined by running the engine at a standardised test cycle . Non-compliant vehicles cannot be sold in the EU, but new sta...