The Dutch authorities have agreed a number of proposals to reduce automobile emissions in order to comply with European legislation.

A number of measures will be implemented from the beginning of 2005 to make traffic cleaner, quieter and cheaper.

The first phase will use fiscal incentives to increase the use of particle filters for diesel cars, freight traffic, and coaches and buses.

Dutch ministers are currently urging the European Commission to finalise regulations for diesel cars fitted with particle filters.

Once these are agreed, the Dutch government plans to introduce incentives for new Euro 5 diesel cars.

As emissions legislation becomes more severe, demand for platinum group metal autocatalysts, which reduce emissions, will increase.