What are the Benefits of Euro 6?
Way back in 1992 the first ever Euro 1 legislation was passed to control the amount of pollutants released into the air in exhaust fumes. The limit for a diesel engine in Euro 1 was 780mg/km of NOx. Today, Euro 6 legislation allows a considerably smaller 80mg/km.
What are the effects of vehicle emissions?
Pollutants in exhaust fumes have been linked to health problems, particularly respiratory diseases and detrimental environmental consequences such as acid rain. For many years the focus was on CO2 in exhaust fumes which petrol engines released the most of. Because of this diesel engines were seen as being kinder to the environment, until the damage caused by NOx was fully understood. NOx is now believed to cause more harm than CO2 and diesel engines produce more NOx than petrol engines so quickly became the bad guy on the road. In an attempt to clean up our air and reduce negative impacts on the environment, the European Commission created increasingly strict standards to reduce the harmful effects of combustion engines.
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Euro 6 Standards
As standards became tighter and tighter over the years with each new piece of legislation, manufacturers responded by making huge investments in new technology to clean up their vehicles' exhaust fumes. As of 1st September 2015 all newly registered vehicles must abide by Euro 6 standards. Technology has become so advanced the Euro 6 standard requires diesel engines to emit less than 80mg/km of Nox. When compared to Euro 5 standards in 2009, which were 180mg/km, this is a massive 55% decrease, meaning Euro 6 diesel engines are the cleanest ever. It is also the closest emission limits have been between petrol and diesel engines. For petrol engines NOx emission limits have remained at 60mg/km in Euro 6 standards – the same as Euro 5, so diesel engines are almost as environmentally friendly as their petrol equivalents for the first time.
There are many benefits of a Euro 6 standard diesel engine …
- Increased Efficiency -As manufacturers have to make sure engines are as efficient as possible to meet standards they provide the added bonus of producing increasingly fuel efficient engines and so increasingly cost efficient engines. On average a diesel engine will have up to 30% better fuel economy compared to a similar petrol engine.
- Reduced CO2 -On average a diesel engine will produce up to 25% less CO2 than a petrol version so companies can reduce their carbon footprint. As road tax is currently calculated by CO2 emissions a diesel engine could be more cost effective.
- Future Proofing – Diesel engines have been getting bad press lately, but a distinction is made between old diesel engines and new diesel engines. The future of older diesel engines is unclear but is likely to include extra costs to discourage use. For example London Mayor Sadiq Khan would like to charge older diesel engines an extra £10 to drive in the capital on top of the usual congestion zone. By driving a vehicle that adheres to Euro 6 standards now, you may avoid extra costs in the future.
As of 2023, the number of new diesel vehicles registered in the UK has decreased due to a combination of factors such as the growing awareness of environmental impact, the rising popularity of electric vehicles, and the government's commitment to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. However, manufacturers continue to invest in reducing pollutants in exhaust fumes, and Euro 6 standards remain a crucial benchmark for emissions control.
In 2017, new vehicle emissions tests were introduced to measure emissions while driving on the road, providing more realistic and accurate results than those obtained in a laboratory setting. These tests continue to evolve, with new proposals aiming to further improve the accuracy of testing procedures and ensure that vehicles meet the highest environmental standards.
Many cars available for lease with Rivervale Leasing meet Euro 6 standards, offering our customers the benefits of reduced emissions and increased fuel efficiency. Some examples of cars that can be leased with Euro 6 include the Volkswagen Golf, Audi A3, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class, and Ford Focus. We offer a wide range of vehicles from various manufacturers, and our experienced team can help you find the perfect car to meet your individual needs and preferences. With our flexible leasing options, you can enjoy the benefits of driving a Euro 6 compliant vehicle without the financial burden of ownership.
