On 28 October, EU governments agreed to new NOx limits from diesel cars that are more than double the ‘Euro 6’ levels agreed back in 2007. They also delayed the implementation of new limits for all new cars until 2019. From 2021, all new cars will still be allowed to emit 50% more NOx than the Euro 6 limit of 80mg per km.

However, Environment Committee MEPs have now said the draft standards are neither explained nor justified, and would undermine the enforcement of existing EU standards.

The move was welcomed by campaign group Transport & Environment (T&E) which it said “sends a strong signal that the European Parliament is serious about the reputation of ‘made in Europe’ vehicles and laws”. 

Julia Poliscanova, clean vehicles and air quality officer at T&E, said: “The European Parliament stood up for Europe by saying yes to clean air and no to cheating. We applaud MEPs’ decision to stop carmaking countries’ illegal move to pardon excess emissions. The technology to clean up exhausts is readily available and will cost just €100 for most cars. It is a small price to pay for clean air.

“72,000 deaths from nitrogen dioxide in Europe, mainly from diesel vehicles, is an avoidable death-toll. Environment ministers of the 28 countries should think twice before granting carmakers a licence to pollute. Beyond corporate misconduct, premature deaths and  quality of European lives are at stake in this decision.”