In recent years, anti-pollution regulations have evolved rapidly. These measures establish technological standards for vehicle emissions and the quality of their fuels. The aim is to limit greenhouse gas emissions and pollutant gases from road transport.
The European Union has Regulation EC No. 443/2009 to implement mandatory annual targets for CO2 emissions, in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport.
As regards air pollutants, in 1992, the European Union established the “Euro” emission standards, according to which new vehicles must meet the requirements that limit gases that are potentially dangerous to health, such as CO (carbon monoxide), HC (hydrocarbons), NOx (nitrogen oxides) and PM (solid particles or aerosols).
The first standard, Euro 1, has been followed – with increasingly strict limits – by the Euro 2 to Euro 6 standards. Manufacturers who sell their vehicles in Europe must equip their vehicles or engines with components that comply with the emission limits set by these standards.
What is Euro 6 and Euro VI?
The first thing to keep in mind is that the Euro standards are divided into two large groups: Euro VI (in Roman numerals) and Euro 6 (in Arabic numerals).
Euro 6 establishes the requirements for the approval of cars and light commercial vehicles with a reference mass not exceeding 2,610 kg. These include spare parts and pollution control devices. This regulation came into force in September 2015.
Euro VI sets the standards for the approval of motor vehicles with a reference mass exceeding 2,610 kg (trucks, buses and coaches), engines and spare parts for heavy vehicles. It also sets out the requirements for pollution control devices, on-board diagnostic systems (OBD) and the measurement of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. This regulation has been in force since September 2014.
Euro standards are not static, they evolve towards greater requirements and therefore manufacturers must adapt engines to them. This is how the letters after the standard appeared: b, c or d.
Euro VI Heavy Vehicle Emissions Regulation
This Regulation defines two procedures for vehicle certification in relation to its emissions.
EC type approval requirements
This certification shows that the manufacturer has evaluated the product and that it complies with the requirements demanded by the European Union. It is mandatory for engines that, even if manufactured outside the European Union, are to be marketed in the Member States. The procedure certifies that the vehicle complies with the corresponding administrative provisions and technical requirements, in accordance with the Heavy Vehicle Emissions Regulation.
In-service conformity control (ISC)
Manufacturers must also take the necessary measures to ensure the effective limitation of exhaust gas emissions, during the useful life of the vehicle and under normal conditions of use. To do this, any engine family must carry out tests on the vehicles on the road, under normal driving and load conditions. These tests must be repeated periodically.
What does the Euro VI D standard add?
The Euro VI Step D standard came into force on 1 September 2018 and has been applicable since 1 September 2019.
Its objective is to complement the test requirements, adopting new requirements for portable emission measurement systems (PEMS), to continue advancing in the reduction of polluting emissions.
The polluting substances that must currently be measured are: CO (carbon monoxide), HC (hydrocarbons), NOx (nitrogen oxides) and the mass of PM particles (solid particles or aerosols) and the number of PM particles, among others.
The BeGas AVG 100% AutoGas/LPG liquid injection engine family has been approved, exceeding the requirements of the Euro VI D regulations. These engines are now available for trucks and urban buses in power ratings of 250, 280 and 310 hp.
The BeGas AVG engines have managed to drastically reduce polluting emissions. The difference in emissions with respect to the limits imposed by Euro VI D is:
- 51% in CO levels;
- 22% in PN levels;
- 57% in NOx levels;
- 29% in PM10 levels;
- and 87% in HC levels.
