Background

Euro 4 emission limits for cars and light commercial vehicles came into force on 1 January 2005 for new type-approvals. Several Member States have a history of using tax incentives to accelerate the introduction of cleaner vehicles. In order to avoid disruption of the single market through various Member States introducing fiscal incentives in January 2005 based on differing limit values, the Commission published a staff working paper which suggested a limit value for particulate matter.

The working paper invited those Member States wishing to introduce fiscal incentives to base their incentives on the 5mg/km value set out in the working paper. Member States which have indicated interest in fiscal incentives include the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden, and Germany. They all have adopted or intend to adopt the 5 mg/km limit value.

The "Clean Air For Europe" (CAFÉ) programme provided the technical basis for the preparation of the Thematic Strategy on air pollution. CAFÉ assessed emissions, current and future air quality and the costs and benefits of further measures to improve air quality. On this basis, the Commission will identify the measures which are required in order to attain the necessary air quality levels. Euro 5 is one among several such measures that are important to reduce NOx and particulate matter emissions.

	Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council relating to emissions of atmospheric pollutants from motor vehicles (Euro 5) [.pdf, 97.4Kb]
	Preliminary draft proposal