The European Parliament's Environment Committee today voted in favour of reducing pollution from Euro5/6 Light Duty Vehicles and Euro VI Heavy Duty vehicles. The vote took place amidst revelations that the US Environmental Protection Agency is fining German car manufacturer Volkswagen for falsifying emissions information to give the impression that it complies with US pollutant rules.

The draft legislation as approved by the European Parliament's Environment Committee includes all the main issues that Dalli was insisting on, on behalf of the S&Dto ensure stricter regulations and the reduction of harmful pollutants from vehicles. 

This includes having a Nitrogen Dioxide limit since this is a very harmful pollutant; reviewing Methane emission limits, considering that Methane is a strong greenhouse gas; having stringent Real Driving Emissions Tests which should be implemented as soon as possible, whilst making sure that no loopholes exist for car manufacturers to circumvent their responsibilities and a requirement for Fuel Consumption Meters and Gear Shift Indicators to be included in vehicles since they help improve efficient driving behaviour.

"On behalf of the Socialists and Democrats from day one,I was never willing to accept attempts to water down the Commission proposal to reduce pollution from vehicles. As a political group, our first priority is to ensure better Air Quality for all citizens. It is unacceptable that harmful levels of air pollution are causing over 400,000 premature deaths per year across the EU," said Miriam Dalli.

"The Volkswagen scandal, shows more than ever before that we urgently need a new Real Driving Emissions testing procedure where real emissions that a car produces are measured. Studies show that in the EU, Euro 6 Diesel cars emit more pollution than they should. This is no longer tenable," Miriam Dalli said.

After the vote in the Environment Committee the proposed legislation will be discussed in trilogues between the Parliament, the Commission and the Council. "It is now up to the Member States to make sure that they accept our position and ensure stricter standards and limits which can control pollution from vehicles and safeguard our citizens' health," Dr Dalli concluded.