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Volvo Group Representation, EU

Euro IV - OBD system

Euro IV- OBD-system, in-use compliance and durability

 Issue description
As defined under directive 1999/96/EC the Commission was to come forward by December 31, 2000 with a proposal on the introduction of an OBD-system, provisions on in use compliance and durability. The EU Commission has proposed a consolidated directive of 1998 laws into a single text and introduced a new decision making procedure - a split-level approach. This means that the Council and the European Parliament would decide over political issues while the Commission works out the technical content.

With the lack of legislation on vehicles in use the system relies on the availability of urea and on the willingness to fuel with urea. The lack of legislation opens up possibilities to reduce fuel consumption, whereby emissions of NOx are increased above Euro IV level. There are presently no means to control this.

An in use compliance test in Germany of Euro II engines from different truck manufacturers showed that a majority of the engines emitted more NOx than what is the legislator's intention for Euro II. Although, the legislation has become stricter the means to reduce fuel consumption by emitting more NOx still exist for Euro IV.

A measure to limit the problem would be to urgently introduce a relevant and strict legislation in order to have it implemented by 2005.

 

 

Impact on the Volvo Group
The requirements on OBD, in-use compliance and durability will be technically complicated. The lead-time for the industry is reduced. This will require a split-level approach. Hereby the Council and the Parliament would only make the political decisions while the Commission and experts would work out the technical details.

Volvo Group's position

  • Volvo supports to limit the possibilities to reduce fuel consumption by increasing NOx emissions in vehicles on-road.
  • Volvo supports the urgent introduction of the provisions for an OBD system, durability and in use compliance in order to have them implemented by 2005.
  • Volvo supports the split-level approach proposed by the EU Commission. The aim should be that a complete legislation is implemented by 2005 or shortly thereafter.
  • Volvo would like to support the Commission's work of outlining and developing the technical content in the proposed directives.
  • Volvo is opposed to that incentives on Euro IV requirements are introduced -fiscal, in toll collect or through Eco-points - as longs as a complete Euro IV legislation is not in place.