The draft legislation proposes to phase in two stages of limits, which would six and eight years after the new rules come into force. The first phase would apply to new vehicle models, the second to all new vehicles entering into service.

The limit for standard cars would be reduced to 68db from its current level of 74db. More powerful vehicles would be given an extra margin of 2 to 6db while the limit for the most powerful heavy lorries (over 12 tonnes) would be maintained at 81db.

The new regulation is intended to ensure a high level of health and environmental protection as well as a reasonable safeguard of the internal market for motor vehicles.

MEPs also want a labelling system to be introduced for new cars, in line with similar schemes for fuel efficiency, tyre noise and CO2 emissions.

In response ACEA secretary general, Ivan Hodac, said: ‘Europe already has the most stringent limit values in the world today. It will be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to meet some of these limit values proposed by the European Parliament. The industry is committed to its responsibility for further reducing the sound level of its vehicles, and requires a reasonable and coherent framework in which to do so.

‘ACEA will now continue to work with the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Member States to ensure that this is the case, and that the final piece of legislation is acceptable to industry while responding to environmental and health concerns.’

The ACEA added its view that the legislative requirements on noise cannot be taken in isolation, but need to be considered in the broader framework regulating the industry. It said that different policy goals in areas like fuel consumption, noise and safety not only have a cumulative effect, but also have created contradictory rules.

Mr Hodac commented: ‘It essential that the main conclusions of CARS 21 and CARS 2020 – which call for smarter, more coordinated regulation for the automotive industry – are respected.’

The organisation also highlighted that today’s cars are over 90% quieter than those from the 1970s, and today’s trucks make more than 10 times less noise than those built in 1970.