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Summary: The EU seeks to reduce pollutants from motor vehicles by improving the environmental quality of petrol and diesel fuels and by encouraging the use of biofuels. The EU also requires suppliers of new cars to advertise their fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Reducing pollutant emissions
Directive 98/70/EC of October 13, 1998 seeks to reduce pollutant emissions from motor vehicles. Leaded petrol except for collectors vehicles was banned in 2000.
The directive seeks progressive improvements in the environmental quality of
- unleaded petrol in relation to octane level, vapour pressure, distillation by evaporation, aromatics and sulphur and lead content.
- diesel fuel in relation to cetane level, density, distillation, aromatics hydrocarbons and sulphur content.
Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of new cars
Directive 1999/94/EC of December 13, 1999 requires suppliers and distributors of new cars to ensure that information relating to fuel economy and CO2 emissions is made available to consumers.
A fuel economy label must be attached to the windscreen at the point of sale, and fuel consumption and CO2 emissions data must be included in promotional material.
The directive is part of the Community’s strategy to meet obligations undertaken under the December 1997 Kyoto agreement to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases by 8% relative to 1990 levels, by 2012.
Biofuels
Directive 2003/30/EC of May 8, 2003 requires Member States to ensure that from 2005 biofuels account for a proportion of fuel sold in their territory, rising to over 20% by 2020.
Biofuel is defined as liquid or gaseous fuel used for transport and produced from biomass, i.e. biodegradable waste and residue from agriculture and forestry.
For more information on these directives visit:
Environmental quality of fuels
Consumer information on fuel economy and CO2 emissions
Biofuels
Auto Fuels Factsheet