Each Euro emission standard: a full breakdown
To find out what the different criteria cars have to hit to meet their Euro standard we have outlined each of the standards below.
Euro 1 (EC93)
Implementation date (new approvals): 1 July 1992
Implementation date (all new registrations): 31 December 1992
The first Europe-wide euro emissions standards were introduced in July 1992 and the regulations weren’t anywhere near as stringent as they are today. That said, the fitment of catalytic converters became compulsory on all new cars, and Euro 1 required the switch to unleaded petrol.
Back then, only hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide were tested, along with particulate matter in the case of diesel engines. Over the years, the regulations have become stricter and the limits lowered.
Euro 1 emissions standards (petrol)
CO: 2.72g/km
HC + NOx: 0.97g/km
Euro 1 emissions standards (diesel)
CO: 2.72g/km
HC + NOx: 0.97g/km
PM: 0.14g/km
Euro 2 (EC96)
Implementation date (new approvals): 1 January 1996
Implementation date (all new registrations): 1 January 1997
Euro 2 reduced the limits for carbon monoxide and the combined limit for unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide, as well as introducing different levels for petrol and diesel engines.
Euro 2 emissions standards (petrol)
CO: 2.2g/km
HC + NOx: 0.5g/km
Euro 2 emissions standards (diesel)
CO: 1.0g/km
HC + NOx: 0.7g/km
PM: 0.08g/km
Euro 3 (EC2000)
Implementation date (new approvals): 1 January 2000
Implementation date (all new registrations): 1 January 2001
Euro 3 split the hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxide limits for petrol and diesel engines, as well as adding a separate nitrogen oxide limit for diesel vehicles. The warm-up period was removed from the test procedure.
Euro 3 emissions standards (petrol)
CO: 2.3g/km
THC: 0.20g/km
NOx: 0.15g/km
Euro 3 emissions standards (diesel)
CO: 0.66g/km
HC + NOx: 0.56g/km
NOx: 0.50g/km
PM: 0.05g/km
Euro 4 (EC2005)
Implementation date (new approvals): 1 January 2005
Implementation date (all new registrations): 1 January 2006
Euro 4 emissions standards (petrol)
CO: 1.0g/km
THC: 0.10g/km
NOx: 0.08g/km
Euro 4 emissions standards (diesel)
CO: 0.50g/km
HC + NOx: 0.30g/km
NOx: 0.25g/km
PM: 0.025g/km
Euro 5
Implementation date (new approvals): 1 September 2009
Implementation date (all new registrations): 1 January 2011
The big news for Euro 5 was the introduction of particulate filters (DPFs) for diesel vehicles, along with lower limits across the board. For type approvals from September 2011 and new cars from January 2013, diesel vehicles were subject to a new limit on particulate numbers.
DPFs capture 99% of all particulate matter and are fitted to every new diesel car. Cars meeting Euro 5 standards emit the equivalent of one grain of sand per kilometre driven.
Euro 5 emissions standards (petrol)
CO: 1.0g/km
THC: 0.10g/km
NMHC: 0.068g/km
NOx: 0.06g/km
PM: 0.005g/km (direct injection only)
Euro 5 emissions standards (diesel)
CO: 0.50g/km
HC + NOx: 0.23g/km
NOx: 0.18g/km
PM: 0.005g/km
PN [#/km]: 6.0x10 ^11/km
Euro 6
Implementation date (new approvals): 1 September 2014
Implementation date (most new registrations - see important point below table above): 1 September 2015
The sixth and current incarnation of the Euro emissions standard was introduced on most new registrations in September 2015. For diesels, the permitted level of NOx has been slashed from 0.18g/km in Euro 5 to 0.08g/km.
A focus on diesel NOx was the direct result of studies connecting these emissions with respiratory problems.
To meet the new targets, some carmakers have introduced Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR), in which a liquid-reductant agent is injected through a catalyst into the exhaust of a diesel vehicle. A chemical reaction converts the nitrogen oxide into harmless water and nitrogen, which are expelled through the exhaust pipe.
The alternative method of meeting Euro 6 standards is Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR). A portion of the exhaust gas is mixed with intake air to lower the burning temperature. The vehicle’s ECU controls the EGR in accordance with the engine load or speed.
Euro 6 emissions standards (petrol)
CO: 1.0g/km
THC: 0.10g/km
NMHC: 0.068g/km
NOx: 0.06g/km
PM: 0.005g/km (direct injection only)
PN [#/km]: 6.0x10 ^11/km (direct injection only)
Euro 6 emissions standards (diesel)
CO: 0.50g/km
HC + NOx: 0.17g/km
NOx: 0.08g/km
PM: 0.005g/km
PN [#/km]: 6.0x10 ^11/km
In which case I stand corrected! Amazing they did that for a limited number of the last cars - but if sold in 2006, it would need to be Euro6...?
