Stricter emission laws come into place for buses and lorries

A new year, and a new law for buses and lorries which is intended to reduce the amount of harmful toxins emitted from the vehicles.

The new legislation, which is continent-wide, means these types of vehicles must reduce emissions of nitrogen oxide by 80 per cent and emissions of particulate matter by 66 per cent.

Called Euro 6, the European legislation hopes to dramatically reduce emissions when compared to 2008 levels.

The scheme was first adopted in June 2009 but only became fully effective on December 31st 2012.

It will gradually begin to take effect over the coming year, but by the beginning of 2014, all heavy goods vehicles will be subject to full registration with Euro 6.

European Commission vice president Antonio Tajani, commissioner for industry and entrepreneurship, said: "Today’s emission reduction will help clean up the air we breathe and improve the competitiveness of Europe’s automobile industry."

Indeed, many respiratory problems are caused by the toxins released from cars, lorries and buses.

Particularly in cities, where traffic pollution is far more common and a larger problem to inhabitant's health - not only is the programme thought to help the environment, it is also presumed to help the automotive industry.

Indeed, it is thought that a new range of lorries and buses, which are more environmentally friendly, will be more popular and sold worldwide.

"As agreed in our recently-adopted Cars Action Plan we are creating a win-win situation: we will have cleaner trucks and buses, which will be trendsetters and exportable worldwide," Mr Tajani said.

According to Europa, the scheme was developed in line with the principles of Better Regulation and following recommendations from the High Level Group for Competitive Automotive Regulatory System for the 21st century, as well as from public feedback.