A technical summary of Euro 6/VI vehicle emission standards

This briefing is a comprehensive technical overview of the Euro 6/VI vehicle emissions standards, which tighten limits on air pollutant emissions set in previous European standards and require the best technology currently available for vehicle emissions control. Countries outside of Europe, the United States and Japan have largely patterned their emissions policies on European regulations and the associated mandates for clean, low-sulfur fuels. By adopting the Euro 6/VI vehicle emission standards, these countries can achieve up to a 99 percent reduction in the emission of pollutants like fine particulate matter (PM2.5), reducing the risk of ischemic heart disease, lung cancer, stroke, and asthma. In this briefing, we look at the historical context of European regulations, summarize the core technical elements, review the control strategies available to achieve the pollutant limits, and conclude by considering what is likely to come next in the European regulatory pathway.