The Introduction of Euro IV and Euro V Emissions Directive for Heavy

Vehicles

Introduction

As a member of the European Union, Ireland is obliged to introduce Directive 2005/55/EC.

Directive 2005/55/EC and its implementing Directive 2005/78/EC as amended by 2006/51/EC
and 2008/74/EC is an EU Directive and applies to all trucks, lorries and buses sold in the EU
market. This Directive lays down limit values for emissions of gaseous and particulate
pollutants and for the opacity of exhaust fumes from diesel, natural gas and liquefied
petroleum gas (LPG) engines, known as Euro IV and Euro V, and applies to passenger and goods
vehicles of categories of M and N with a reference mass in excess of 2,610kg. The major
difference between the Euro IV and Euro V is the reduction in the emission limits for nitrogen
oxides from 3.5 to 2.0 g/kWh. The Directive specifies dates from which vehicles must be
manufactured with Euro IV and Euro V engines and also specifies the dates by which these
vehicles must be registered. Vehicles equipped with Euro IV engines must be registered by
October 1st 2009 and vehicles registered thereafter must be of Euro V specification. In certain
conditions, an end of series exemption can be applied for, which if granted, will allow vehicles
an extended period of time for registration. More detailed implementation dates for each
vehicle category are summarised at the end of this document. Reference mass means the mass
of the vehicle in running order less the uniform mass of the driver of 75kg and increased by a
uniform mass of 100kg (refer to Certificate of Conformity point 12.1).

Objectives of the Directive

Improving the health and welfare of the European population is an important objective for the
EU authorities. Euro IV and V revises the current emissions limits for motor vehicles and its
specific objectives are as follows;
 • To set harmonised rules on the construction of motor vehicles.

• To improve air quality by reducing pollutants emitted from the road transport sector by
setting the next stage of emission limit values for all vehicle categories with a reference
mass in excess of 2,610kg.

Background

The Regulations were originally introduced by the Directive 88/77/EEC and have since been
subjected to a number of amendments. In 2005, the Directives were re-cast and consolidated
by the Directive 2005/55/EC.

Directive 2005/55/EC adopted by the EU Parliament in 2005 introduced durability and On Board
Diagnostic (OBD) requirements, and re-stated the emission limits for Euro IV and Euro V which
were originally published in 1999/96/EC. In a “split-level” regulatory approach, the technical
requirements pertaining to durability and OBD—including provisions for emission systems that
use consumable reagents—have been described by the Commission in Directive 2005/78/EC.

The technical requirements take effect in two stages, Euro IV emission limits came into effect
for new type approvals from 1st October 2005 (and new registrations 1st October 2006) and
Euro V emission limits applied from 1st October 2008 for new type approvals (and new
registrations will apply from 1st October 2009).

Implications for Irish stakeholders

Although there is no indigenous engine manufacturing industry in Ireland, the introduction of

the tighter Euro IV and V emission limits will have type approval implications for a number of
sectors such as importers, distributors and converters of commercial vehicles.

The introduction of the Directives will help to ensure the proper functioning of the internal EU
market and will guarantee a common level of emissions amongst all vehicles within Europe.
They will also facilitate an improvement in air quality, which in turn will improve public health,
thus enabling the Government to generate savings in the longer term.
Requirements of the Directive

Emissions of gaseous pollutants and particulate pollutants, opacity of fumes

Initially, the limit values in row B1 of the tables in Annex I, point 6.2.1 of the Directive, known as
Euro IV, were applicable to all new vehicles type approved from 1st October 2005 and to all new
vehicles registered from 1st October 2006.

In a second phase, known as Euro V, the stricter limit values in row B2 of the same tables have
been compulsory for all new vehicles type approved since 1st October 2008 and will be
compulsory for all new vehicles registered from 1st October 2009. The table in the attached
Appendix is extracted from Directive 2005/55/EC and details the limit values for emissions.
Row B1 refers to Euro IV and row B2 refers to Euro V.

Durability of emission control systems

Vehicle manufacturers must guarantee that diesel and gas engines, having met the standards
laid down in Directive 2005/55/EC upon approval, comply with these standards throughout the
normal life of the vehicle under normal conditions of use.

Onboard diagnostic systems

Diesel and gas engines, and vehicles fitted with them, must also have an onboard diagnostic
system (OBD) which signals immediately any malfunction of the system for checking emissions
from the engine once the limit values are exceeded.

Penalties for breach of these Directives

Under SI 448 of 2007 European Communities (Mechanically Propelled Vehicle Entry Into
service) Regulations 2007 and European Communities (Mechanically Propelled Vehicle Entry
Into Service) (Amendment) Regulations 2008 a person guilty of an offence under these
Regulations is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €5,000
Type Approval and Registration Dates

The implementation dates of Euro IV and V for new type approvals and new registrations for
vehicle types (with a reference mass exceeding 2,610kg) are summarised below. Reference to
the Directive should be made for more details. While the Euro IV dates have passed, all new
vehicles with a reference mass in excess of 2,610kg will be required to have Euro V certification
in order to be registered from 1st October 2009. In certain conditions, an end of series
exemption can be applied for, which if granted, will allow vehicles an extended period of time
for registration. Details of the end of series exemption procedure and an application can be
found at www.rsa.ie.

New Type New Registrations

Approvals
Euro IV Categories M and N with a reference mass in 1/10/2005 1/10/2006
excess of 2,610kg

Euro V Categories M and N with a reference mass in 1/10/2008 1/10/2009

excess of 2,610kg
Euro VI At present being discussed at EU level 31/12/2013

Euro VI

The Regulation known as Euro VI, which is at present being discussed at EU level, proposes new
tougher emission limits than the Euro V Regulation and will enter into effect from 31st
December 2013. The proposal will lower limit values for damaging emissions of several
pollutants (CO, THC, NMHC, CH4 NOx, NH3). For example the limit value for total Oxides of
Nitrogen (NOx), will be approximately 400 mg/kWh (80% less compared with Euro V), and
under the proposal, the particle mass limit will be 10 mg/kWh – a 66% reduction compared
with the Euro V satge limits. This will be a step forward towards global harmonisation since the
limit values are similar to those of the USA. Euro VI will require all passenger and goods
vehicles manufactured of categories of M and N with a reference mass in excess of 2,610kg to
comply with the standards from 31st December 2013. It is also proposed that the Euro VI
Regulation will include measures relating to access to repair information so as to ensure
effective competition on the market in repair and maintenance services. Similar measures
already exist for the relevant legislation on passenger cars (Euro 5).
 Appendix
A detailed table as taken from Directive 2005/55/EC below details the limit values for emissions. Row
B1 refers to Euro IV and row B2 refers to Euro V. Row C refers to enhanced environmentally friendly
vehicle or EEEV and is a term used in the European emission standards for the definition of a “clean
vehicle” greater than 3.5 tonne in category M2 and M3. The standard lies between the levels of Euro V
and VI.