Germany has given fresh impetus to the new Euro-6 standards for emissions according to reports.

The European Federation for Transport and Environment (T&E) claims Germany's automotive industry would gain from being given the latest emissions targets as soon as possible and has been lobbying for an acceleration in the clean air proposals.

A German representative told EU competition ministers that the time was right for a tightening of the Euro-5 standards and that there was a growing consensus for this within Europe.

A "broad majority" of environment ministers had two days earlier supported the early adoption of Euro-6 standards on nitrogen oxides (NOx).

A limit of 200 mg/km of NOx from diesel cars is proposed under Euro-5, but Germany is said to be seeking a lower level of 180 mg/km, coming down to 80 mg/km by 2013.

Aat Peterse of T&E commented: "If EU car makers want to sell diesels in the US they will have to comply with standards much tougher than Euro-5 from next year, so why wait?"


Ÿ Adfero Ltd