The European Commission is evaluating plans to introduce more stringent emission legislation on diesel particulate emissions.

Under the terms of the proposal, emissions would be reduced to 5 milligrams per kilometre from 2010 - a major drop from the current Euro 4 standard of 25 milligrams.

According to the EC this value could only be met by the use of diesel cars with filters.

EU Commissioner Guenter Verheugen says the EU's emissions plans represent "the most ambitious programme in the world".

The move comes as a number of countries across Europe consider the introduction of tax incentives in order to drive up the number of soot filter-enabled cars being sold.

The Netherlands has already taken steps along this route, with Germany due to offer tax incentives for diesel particle filters from 2006 in an attempt to cut engine emissions to fulfil the EU requirements.

The scheme will cost €1.5 billion and will offer incentives of €350 for new cars and €250 for older cars, reports Reuters.

Germany's automobile industry has pledged to fit all new cars with diesel particle filters by 2008.