The Case for Emissions Reduction.
It was realised during the 1970s that with growing populations and increasing wealth, the number of internal combustion engines would proliferate. Unless action was taken, this proliferation would only increase damage caused by harmful ENGINE emissions. In urban conurbations, or in close proximity to major traffic routes, these emissions can cause severe detriment to human health and well being. Collectively these emissions contribute toward the exacerbation of a range of human ailments as well as aiding the formation of urban smog.
The burning of fossil fuels is a significant contributor to increasing levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) production. Carbon Dioxide is the primary GHG from diesel engines and whilst otherwise harmless, the best, most effective method for reducing this GHG is to increase fuel efficiency or provide an alternative source of ‘clean power’.
Legislation
In order to counter this growth in harmful emissions, governments in the developed world established agencies and bodies, to focus on strategies to bring about the reduction of harmful emissions. These bodies legislated for a series of progressively stringent emissions standards. These were to be observed by engine and motor manufacturers when introducing new models. These standards were carefully timetabled in order to push the development of emission reduction technologies, whilst ensuring that the benefits were both achievable and cost effective. For a list of the current and future standards, together with implementation dates click here.
The legislation proved very effective and considerable engine developments have been achieved, for example a Euro 4 standard engine reduces by more than 95% the harmful emissions when compared to an older engine at Euro 0 standard. However even these developments were not enough for large conurbations. With the rapid expansion of diesel engines into passenger cars, together with a general increase in motor vehicle usage, many local authorities across the world have found it desirable and necessary to establish their own Low Emission Zone (LEZ).
Low Emission Zones are presently being established across Europe. Each country has developed its own particular method of implementation standards and they typically apply to Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) and Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV). As a general rule of thumb if you wish to enter one of these zones without paying an emission levy, or risking a penalty fine then a Euro 3 standard vehicle (registered after January 2001) will be required.
In the UK, so far only London has established a Low Emission Zone. Other major city authorities are seriously considering their own LEZ implementation but no firm dates have yet been established.
