Euro Emissions Standards Explained: Find Out Which Category Your Vehicle Belongs To
In 1992, the European Union introduced Euro emissions standards to help improve air quality and reduce vehicle pollution. These standards limit how much harmful gas, such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides, cars can emit into the atmosphere. These standards have become stricter over time in response to growing environmental concerns.
As of 2024, Euro 6 is the latest exhaust emissions standard for cars, and it is especially important for diesel vehicles driving through clean air zones like the London ULEZ. There are even different versions of Euro 6, with the latest update, Euro 6d, coming into effect in January 2021.
Starting in 2026, Euro 7 will be introduced, bringing with it rules that will address even more types of emissions, such as those from brakes and tires. But for now, if you drive a Euro 4 petrol or Euro 5 diesel vehicle, you should be aware of your emissions status.
Are you curious about which emissions standard your vehicle falls under? Using our ULEZ checker, you can easily determine whether your vehicle meets the requirements for entering clean air zones. Keep reading to learn how to identify your car's Euro emissions category and what it means for your driving.
What Are Euro Emissions Standards and How Do They Work?
Euro emissions standards are European Union regulations that limit the amount of harmful gases, such as CO2, that vehicles can emit into the atmosphere. These standards aim to reduce pollution and improve air quality throughout Europe, including the United Kingdom, where transport accounts for a significant portion of CO2 emissions. The goal is to gradually make cars cleaner over time, so that each new generation of vehicles emits fewer pollutants.
The first Euro 1 standard was introduced in 1992, signalling the start of a transition to cleaner vehicles. This change required cars to have catalytic converters, which helped reduce harmful exhaust gases. Since then, the standards have become more stringent with each new version. The latest standard, Euro 6, went into effect in 2015 and has raised the bar for emissions control. If your vehicle is Euro 6 compliant, it is better suited to meet the requirements of modern clean air zones.
If you're not sure about your vehicle's emissions, you can easily check its Euro status with a Euro standard checker. For example, if your vehicle is Euro 4 ULEZ or older, it may not meet the requirements to enter certain low-emission zones. Understanding whether your vehicle is Euro 2 or newer can help you avoid potential fines or restrictions, especially in cities with strict emissions regulations.
Why Were Euro Standards Introduced for Vehicle Emissions?
Euro standards were introduced to help reduce vehicle pollution in Europe. The EU realised that cars were a major contributor to poor air quality. These rules were established to reduce harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), and particulate matter (PM). These pollutants can harm both the environment and human health, which is why the standards are so important.
Over the years, Euro standards have proven effective. Today, 50 new cars would emit the same amount of pollution as one 1970s car. For example, petrol cars now emit 63% less CO, while diesel cars emit 82% less CO than in 1993. NOx emissions are down by 84%, while diesel engine soot is down by 96%. This shows the real progress that has happened.
However, there is still work to be done. Despite all of the improvements, NOx emissions have not decreased as much as expected because cars often emit more pollutants in real-world driving than in lab tests.
In the United Kingdom, transport still accounts for approximately 33% of carbon dioxide emissions, though this has decreased by 8.5% over the last decade. A car reg check or car age check can help you determine whether your vehicle meets the latest Euro 6 emissions standards. This will allow you to determine whether your vehicle complies with the latest regulations, which is especially important if you are driving in low-emission zones.
How to Check Your Vehicle's Euro Emissions Rating
Checking your vehicle's Euro emissions rating is easy, and there are several methods to do so. One of the simplest ways is to check your V5C logbook. This important document includes your car or van's official Euro emissions rating, which is usually found at the bottom of page two under "Exhaust Emissions."
If you don't have your logbook, you can use the government's clean air zone checker. Simply enter your vehicle's registration number into this free tool. It will tell you whether your vehicle meets the emissions standards required to drive in certain clean air zones, as well as whether you will be charged on a daily basis.
Another way to check is by referring to a guide like the one provided by the European Commission. It lists the dates when new Euro standards went into effect, allowing you to compare your vehicle's registration date to the relevant standard. Keep in mind that some cars bought after these dates might still meet an older Euro standard, so it's always good to check directly with the manufacturer.
If your vehicle is older than the dates listed for any of the Euro categories, it may not meet Euro emissions standards, preventing you from entering certain towns or cities at certain times. To be sure, use our car specs by reg check to get an accurate reading.
Why Knowing Your Vehicle's Euro Standard Matters
Knowing your vehicle's Euro standard is important for a few reasons, especially if you drive in the UK. The UK government is working on its "Road to Zero" strategy, which aims to reduce vehicle emissions and transition to zero-emission road transport. As part of this plan, the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will be banned by 2035, and by 2050, the goal is to have all vehicles running without emissions.
Many UK cities have implemented or plan to implement low-emission zones, such as London's ULEZ, which impose stricter emissions rules. Other cities, including Birmingham, Manchester, and Glasgow, are following suit. Understanding your Euro standard can help you avoid penalties and restrictions in these areas. For example, if you're wondering is euro 5 ULEZ compliant, you should know that Euro 5 vehicles are generally not allowed in ULEZ without paying a charge. Knowing your car's emissions rating allows you to be prepared for any charges that may arise while driving in these areas.
What Is the Required Emissions Standard for London's ULEZ?
To avoid a daily charge under London's ULEZ, vehicles must meet specific emissions standards. The minimum standard for petrol vehicles is Euro 4, and diesel vehicles must meet Euro 6. If your vehicle does not meet these requirements, you will have to pay a £12.50 daily toll to drive within the zone.
The ULEZ was expanded to cover all of London's boroughs and the majority of Greater London in August 2023, making these emissions rules applicable to a larger area. It's important to check if your vehicle meets these standards to avoid any unexpected charges.
What Are the Euro Emissions Rules in France?
Cities in France, including Paris, use the Crit'Air system to control vehicle emissions. This system assigns vehicles a coloured, numbered sticker based on how clean or polluting they are. The cleaner your car, the better the sticker will be.
Paris has a permanent low-emission zone that limits access to the most polluting vehicles during certain times. Some other areas have temporary restrictions when air pollution is really high. Your vehicle's entry depends on the Crit'Air sticker displayed on your windscreen.
If you intend to drive in France, you should check your car's emissions and ensure you have the correct Crit'Air sticker to avoid fines and restrictions.
What Will Euro 7 Emission Standards Mean for Drivers?
The Euro 7 emissions standards will be implemented soon, with a focus on reducing pollution even more than before. Starting in November 2026, these new regulations will apply to all vehicles, including electric vehicles. One of the key features of Euro 7 is the inclusion of non-exhaust emissions like brake dust and tyre particles, which were not addressed in previous standards. This means that cars must also reduce these types of pollution.
Euro 7 will also include more real-world testing, with vehicles tested in various temperatures and on shorter journeys to ensure they meet the new standards. Another significant change is that cars and vans must meet the standards for up to ten years or 124,000 miles (200,000 kilometres). Electric and hybrid vehicles will also be assessed for battery performance and longevity.
While the original proposals were stricter, the new rules have been slightly relaxed to allow car manufacturers more time to adapt. If you want to know if your car meets Euro 7 standards, you can look at the Euro 7 compliant cars list once it is available.
Understanding Euro 6 and Euro 6 Diesel Regulations
Diesel cars must keep their nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions below 0.08g/km, while petrol cars must keep them below 0.06g/km. These rules help to reduce harmful pollution.
Manufacturers of Euro 6 diesel vehicles use technology such as Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR). This method sprays a special liquid into the exhaust, converting harmful gases into harmless water and nitrogen. It's like cleaning up the car's exhaust as it drives.
Another way to meet these standards is with Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR). This system takes some of the exhaust gases and mixes them with fresh air to lower the burning temperature, which cuts down on emissions. The car's computer controls this process based on how the engine is running.
These regulations aim to make cars cleaner and reduce pollution in the air we breathe.
Breaking Down Euro 5 Vehicle Emission Standards
Euro 5 emissions standards were implemented to help reduce pollution from diesel and petrol vehicles. To meet these standards, a diesel vehicle must have a diesel particulate filter (DPF), which removes 99% of all harmful soot particles. Diesel vehicles must also emit no more than 0.18 g/km of nitrogen oxides (NOx). Petrol vehicles, on the other hand, can only emit up to 0.06 g/km of NOx. This means that Euro 5 vehicles are considered to be relatively low emitters, especially when compared to older models.
Starting in January 2011, new cars had to meet Euro 5 standards. Diesel vehicles were given new particulate emission limits. A Euro 5 diesel car emits roughly the same amount of pollution as one grain of sand per kilometre driven, thanks to the DPF.
In London, Euro 5 vehicles are generally not allowed in the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) without paying a daily charge, unless they meet the Euro 6 NOx standard after an upgrade. If a Euro 5 diesel fails to meet the NOx requirements, it will still incur a charge when entering ULEZ.
Euro 5 standards have had a significant impact on lowering vehicle emissions, but with stricter regulations such as Euro 6 now in place, newer vehicles are even cleaner.
Know About Euro 4 (EC2005) Limits
Euro 4 emissions standards were introduced in 2005 and became mandatory for all new vehicles sold in January 2006. The limit for nitrogen oxides (NOx) in diesel vehicles was set at 0.25g/km, while petrol vehicles had a lower NOx limit of 0.08g/km.
Euro 4 also limits other pollutants. Petrol cars were limited to 1.0 g/km of CO and 0.10 g/km of THC. In contrast, diesel vehicles had stricter particulate matter (PM) limits of 0.025g/km.
These standards helped to reduce pollution from older vehicles, but newer standards, such as Euro 5 and Euro 6, have stricter requirements.
Euro 3 (EC2000): Emission Levels and Vehicle Types
The Euro 3 emissions standards were introduced in 2000 and applied to all new cars from January 2001. These rules limit the amount of pollution that vehicles can emit, with different standards for petrol and diesel cars.
Euro 3 allowed petrol cars to emit up to 2.3g/km of CO, 0.20g/km of hydrocarbons (THC), and 0.15g/km of NOx. Diesel vehicles had stricter emissions limits, with up to 0.66 g/km of CO and 0.50 g/km of NOx. Diesel vehicles also had to keep particulate matter (PM) levels under 0.05g/km.
These standards contributed to the reduction of car emissions, paving the way for today's stricter regulations.
Euro 2 (EC96) Standard:
Euro 2 emissions standards were introduced in 1996 and became mandatory for all new vehicles in January 1997. These rules reduced the limits on carbon monoxide (CO) and combined the limits for unburned hydrocarbons (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx).
Euro 2 set the CO limit for petrol cars at 2.2g/km and the HC + NOx limit at 0.5g/km. Diesel vehicles had stricter emissions limits, with CO at 1.0g/km, HC + NOx at 0.7g/km, and particulate matter (PM) at 0.08g/km.
These standards represented a significant step towards lowering vehicle emissions and improving air quality.
A Look Back at Euro 1 (EC93) Vehicle Emissions Rules
The Euro 1 emissions standards were the first Europe-wide regulations, introduced in July 1992. They were not as strict as today's standards, but they were a significant step towards reducing vehicle emissions. One of the most significant changes was that all new cars were required to have catalytic converters, which helped reduce harmful emissions.
Euro 1 also required a switch to unleaded petrol, which was a significant change for the car industry. At the time, only hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides (NOx) were tested, while particulate matter was tested in diesel engines.
Euro 1 sets the CO limit for petrol cars at 2.72g/km and HC + NOx at 0.97g/km. Diesel cars had the same CO and HC + NOx limits, but added a limit for particulates (PM) at 0.14g/km.
These early standards paved the way for the stricter rules that followed.
What's Next for Euro Emissions Standards in the UK and EU?
The future of Euro emissions standards in the UK and EU is all about moving to zero-emission vehicles. Starting in January 2024, UK car manufacturers will need to sell 22% zero-emission cars and 10% zero-emission vans. By 2035, they must sell only zero-emission vehicles. The UK is also supporting alternative fuels that don't release CO2, in line with the EU's approach.
The UK's Ultra Low Emission Zones (ULEZ) and Low Emission Zones (LEZ) have specific rules. For example, petrol cars need to meet Euro 4 standards and diesel cars must meet Euro 6 to avoid paying a £12.50 daily charge in ULEZ. Larger vehicles, like buses and lorries, must meet Euro VI standards to avoid a £300 charge.
These new standards are all about reducing pollution and improving air quality. Businesses can help by switching to zero-emission fleets, which will play a big part in making the environment cleaner for everyone.
Do Euro Emissions Standards Impact Your MOT Test?
Yes, Euro emission standards can affect your MOT test. The government makes it clear that if your vehicle's exhaust emissions are too high, you will not get a MOT certificate. Since May 2018, the MOT test has become stricter on emissions, especially for diesel vehicles.
If your vehicle has a diesel particulate filter (DPF), which is mandatory for all Euro 5 and Euro 6 diesels, it must pass the emissions test. If your vehicle emits visible smoke of any colour during the test, it will automatically fail. The same applies if the tester finds that the DPF has been tampered with.
These rules ensure that only low-emission vehicles are on the road, which helps to reduce air pollution.
Motorcycle Euro Emission Categories: What You Need to Know
Motorcycle Euro emissions standards are a bit different from cars because motorbikes typically produce fewer emissions. The most recent update, Euro 5, came into effect in 2020 for two and three-wheeled vehicles.
Motorbikes are subject to fewer changes than cars when it comes to emissions, but the rules are still important. The standards are slightly more complicated due to the differences in how motorbikes are used and how they emit pollutants.
If you're buying or selling a motorbike, it's important to know that Euro 5 standards are currently in place, ensuring cleaner air and better environmental protection.
Are There Penalties for Not Meeting Euro Standards?
Yes, there are penalties for not meeting Euro emissions standards. In the UK, these standards are closely linked to EU regulations, especially for CO2 emissions. For new cars, the emission limit is set at 95g of CO2 per kilometre. For vans, the limit is 147g per kilometre until 2024.
If a car manufacturer exceeds the CO2 limit, they must pay a fine of €95 (£80) for every gram of CO2 above the standard for each car sold. These fines can add up quickly, and on a larger scale, they can cost manufacturers millions or even billions of euros.
These penalties help encourage manufacturers to meet the standards and reduce the amount of CO2 emissions from vehicles on the road, which is crucial for fighting climate change.
Petrol Car Emissions: Euro Standards Comparison Table
Standard | First Registration in the EU | CO (g/km) | HC (g/km) | NOx (g/km) | HC + NOx (g/km) | PM (g/km) | PN (1/km) |
Euro 1 | 31.12.1992 | 2.72 (3.16) | – | – | 0.97 (1.13) | – | – |
Euro 2 | 1.01.1997 | 2.2 | – | – | 0.5 | – | – |
Euro 3 | 1.01.2001 | 2.3 | 0.2 | 0.15 | – | – | – |
Euro 4 | 1.01.2006 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 0.08 | – | – | – |
Euro 5 | 1.01.2011 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 0.06 | – | 0.005 | – |
Euro 6 | 1.09.2015 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 0.06 | – | 0.005 | 6.0 x 10^11 |
Euro 6c | 1.09.2018 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 0.06 | – | 0.0045 | 6.0 x 10^11 |
Euro 6j TEMP | 1.09.2019 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 0.06 | – | 0.0045 | 6.0 x 10^11 |
Euro 6j | 1.09.2021 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 0.06 | – | 0.0045 | 6.0 x 10^11 |
Diesel Car Emissions: Euro Standards Comparison Table
Here is a comparison table showing the exhaust emission values for diesel-powered passenger cars based on Euro standards:
Standard | First Registration in the EU | CO (g/km) | HC (g/km) | NOx (g/km) | HC + NOx (g/km) | PM (g/km) | PN (1/km) |
| Euro 1 | 31.12.1993 | 2.72 (3.16) | – | – | 0.97 (1.13) | 0.14 (1.18) | – |
| Euro 2 | 1.01.1997 | 1.0 | – | – | 0.7 | 0.08 | – |
| Euro 3 | 1.01.2001 | 0.66 | – | 0.5 | 0.56 | 0.05 | – |
| Euro 4 | 1.01.2006 | 0.5 | – | 0.25 | 0.3 | 0.025 | – |
| Euro 5 | 1.01.2011 | 0.5 | – | 0.18 | 0.23 | 0.005 | 6.0 x 10^11 |
| Euro 6 | 1.09.2015 | 0.5 | – | 0.08 | 0.17 | 0.005 | 6.0 x 10^11 |
| Euro 6c | 1.09.2018 | 0.5 | – | 0.08 | 0.17 | 0.005 | 6.0 x 10^11 |
| Euro 6j TEMP | 1.09.2019 | 0.5 | – | 0.08 | 0.17 | 0.005 | 6.0 x 10^11 |
| Euro 6j | 1.09.2021 | 0.5 | – | 0.08 | 0.17 | 0.005 | 6.0 x 10^11 |
