Commission tightens up car pollution limits

New 'Euro 5' emissions limits tabled by Brussels on 21 December would require that automakers fit particle filters on diesel cars. Four wheel drives (SUVs) are now included in the new draft rules. The current Euro 4 pollution limits entered into force on 1 January 2005. Stakeholder discussions on the new Euro 5 limits have been ongoing since January 2004. In January 2005, the Commission published a paper on fiscal incentives in advance of the forthcoming Euro 5 standard. The new Euro 5 values are part of the Commission's proposed strategy to cut down air pollution, presented in September.