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Volvo Group Representation, EU

Global harmonisation - exhaust emission standards

Issue description
The industry for heavy-duty trucks, construction equipment, marine and stationary engines is largely global and needs globally harmonised engine and fuel regulations.

The diesel engine offers the highest fuel efficiency today and in a foreseeable future.

The diesel engine also offers high potential for further reduced exhaust emissions, but the fuel quality needs to be co-ordinated with the engine technology steps. In order to utilise this efficiency potential there is a need for globally harmonised regulations.

Harmonised emission regulation procedures, harmonised emission standards and harmonised diesel fuel quality will improve reliability, durability and the environmental performance of the engines. This gives positive results in reduced exhaust emissions and on air quality. Harmonised standards create resource efficiency, which liberates capacity to concentrate on enhancing the environmental performance of the engines.

 

Impact on the Volvo Group
Volvo being one of the world's leading diesel engine manufacturers is very much concerned by the different engine regulations, test methods, emission standards, etc in the USA, EU, Japan and the rest of the world. Volvo is actively promoting the benefits of obtaining globally harmonised regulations on engines and fuels.

Volvo Group's position

  • Global harmonisation is needed in three dimensions - in emission regulation procedures, emission standards and in fuel quality.
  • The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE) should be used for global emission regulation procedures.
  • Volvo supports - due to the complexity of the engine system - that the engine emission compliance has to be demonstrated on a complete vehicle in onroad conditions. The aim is to have harmonised emission standards by 2015.
  • Global harmonisation of fuel quality and related legal requirements is needed. Low sulphur diesel fuel is needed globally by 2015.
  • The World-Wide Fuel Charter, which is supported by the vehicle industry worldwide, could be a guiding document for fuel qualities.
  • A global implementation agency for fuel qualities is needed. The UN/ECE meets these requirements and should undertake this task.