Starting in September 2015, all new vehicles must comply with the Euro 6 emission standards implemented by the EU last year. The aim of the legislation is to lower the amount of harmful substances being produced by car exhaust, including nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, certain hydrocarbons and also particulate matter.

The legislation has a large focus on diesel vehicles and the amount of nitrous oxide they are putting out into the air, as it one of the most harmful greenhouse gasses. A euro 6 diesel vehicle can emit a maximum of 80 mg/km, whereas previously the cap was 180 mg/km.

Vehicle manufacturers have had to develop new systems to meet standards, including reducing the vehicle weight, reduced compression ratio and more efficient drive trains. Many manufacturers are opting for an after treatment system called SCR which uses a reduction agent called AdBlue. It works by reacting with the nitrogen oxides in the exhaust, producing harmless water and nitrogen.

The downside to using AdBlue is that it increases the cost of running a fleet. The AdBlue tank has to be kept topped up, but the rate at which it is used up varies with the vehicle model and load, environmental conditions and driving style. Some vehicles are programmed not to restart if the AdBlue tank is empty so it is important you drivers know to keep an eye on the levels.

An alternative that some manufacturers are opting for is a Lean NOx trap. The advantages of this are that it is maintenance free and doesn’t require topping up an extra tank. It is fitted in place of the normal oxidation catalyser and works by trapping the NOx from the engine in a porous core. The trap is cleaned out during the engines rich burn mode, when the NOx is converted into harmless nitrogen. The Lean NOx trap may seem like the better option, but unfortunately it isn’t suitable for many heavier commercial vehicles, as the engines tend to run at a higher temperature.

While the legislation will be good for lowering the huge amounts of greenhouse gasses diesel vehicles are emitting, it is the fleet owners that are likely to be the ones picking up the bill.

We offer a variety of solutions for tracking emissions, services, and your driver’s behaviour, which will help you manage the cost and budget effectively while adapting to the Euro6 changes. Please get in touch by email or by ringing us on 0208 402 2350 for more information.