The European Union’s “Euro” standards impose emissions thresholds that cars must not exceed. Limits are lowered regularly, the latest are set by the Euro 6.2 standard.
Like the previous standards, Euro 6.2 sets emission thresholds for the following pollutant gases: NOx (nitrogen oxide), CO (carbon monoxide), fine particulate matter and unburned hydrocarbons. However, the standard does not set any limit on CO2 emissions.
The Euro 6.2 standard has been applicable since September 2017 for new vehicle types, and comes into force for all types in September 2018.
Euro standard
European emissions standards, known as Euro standards, are the maximum pollutant emissions limits for vehicles on the road, set by the European Union.
The Euro 6.2 standard is also called Euro 6.d-TEMP. In January 2020, the Euro 6.3 standard, also known as Euro 6.d or Euro 6.d full, will succeed.
NOx, CO2, Particulates, CO: Nitrogen Oxide, Carbon Dioxide, Fine Particles, Carbon Monoxide
Main emissions rejected by thermal engines, whose thresholds are fixed the European regulation.
WLTP: Worldwide harmonized Light vehicle Test Procedure
The WLTP is a new method of vehicle registration. It is a harmonized test procedure for determining the fuel consumption and the emissions level from cars.
This new procedure WLTP will introduce more realistic testing conditions than NEDC , in order to provide accurate information to customers.
The tests are under supervision of Technical Services (UTAC in France) based on standardized driving cycles (time, speed, equipment, temperature, etc.), in the same way for all manufacturers, and measure emissions as well as the fuel consumption of the vehicles.
RDE : Real Driving Emission
The Real Driving Emission will complement the WLTP, measuring pollutant such as NOx and particles emissions in number (PN), emitted by the car while driven on the road.
RDE ensures that cars deliver low emissions compared to laboratory tests, which is a significant leap in tests of cars emissions.