Under the debate, MEPs discussed vetoing plans to raise car NOx emission limits by up to 110% when the Real Driving Emissions (RDE) test procedure is introduced.

The initial proposals were put forward by Elzbieta Bienkowska, the European Commissioner for industrial policy, at the October meeting of the Commission’s regulatory committee (TCMV) and would have allowed real-world NOx emissions to exceed limits by as much as 110% until January 2020 and more than 50% above it thereafter for an indefinite period.

However, Parliament's Environment Committee has said that MEPs should veto plans to relax the limits because this would undermine the enforcement of existing EU standards.

Some Members called on the European Commission to put forward a revised proposal, as well as plans for a stronger type-approval system for vehicles in the EU. Others stressed the need to put the Real Drive Emissions test procedure into effect quickly, in order to bring down emission levels.

Following the debate, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) reiterated that it fully agrees with the need for emissions to more closely reflect real-world conditions.

“We urgently need to have a new test method to bridge the gap between the current laboratory testing of pollutant emissions, as defined by law, and the very different conditions experienced on the road,” said Erik Jonnaert, ACEA secretary general.

The ACEA said that two-stage plans agreed in October marked a tough compromise on RDE and that the testing standards “will be extremely difficult for automobile manufacturers to reach in a short space of time, and highly challenging targets in a second step”.

“Despite the challenges in the latest proposals, the industry urgently needs clarity now so manufacturers can plan the development and design of vehicles in line with the new RDE requirements. Any delay to this legislation would leave little time to make the necessary changes and ultimately would just push back the benefits for the environment,” stated Mr Jonnaert. “Our industry needs the RDE test to restore the confidence of consumers and legislators in the environmental performance of new vehicles.”

The proposal to veto the draft decision will be put to the vote at the next plenary session of the European Parliament.