Major cities in Europe could introduce temporary bans for vehicles that fail to meet emissions standards.

In a bid to combat traffic pollution and the illnesses it causes, cities throughout the EU may prevent diesel-powered cars without particle filters from using their roads depending on variables such as the time of year and weather conditions.

EU wide regulations on particulate matter and other pollutants such as nitrous oxide, lead and carbon monoxide must be transposed by member states next year.

In Germany the government has introduced legislation requiring all diesel cars to be fitted with filters by 2009.

However, Juergen Resch, head of the Deutsche Umwelthilfe environmentalist group, expects limited bans in some German cities.

"We assume that there will be driving bans in all the big [German] cities in built-up areas and indeed several times a year depending on weather and traffic conditions," he told the Reuters news agency.