Air pollution: measures to be taken against emissions from motor vehicles (amend. Directive 70/220/EEC)

The objective of the proposal for a directive is to reduce emissions of pollutants from light commercial vehicles and similar vehicles to as low a level and over just as short a time as those from passenger cars. Specifically, the aim is to make the standards applicable to light commercial vehicles and similar vehicles which come within the scope of this proposal for a directive as strict as those laid down in Directive 94/12/EC for passenger cars. Given the short space of time between the proposed tightening of standards (1996-1997) and the subsequent stage starting in the year 2000, the proposal needs to be adopted quickly (the directive should be transposed into national law by 1 October 1995). - It is proposed when setting standards for light commercial vehicles to maintain the classification established on the basis of the reference mass currently used for the vehicles in question. - As far as the limit values are concerned: . the limit values proposed for class I vehicles are the same as those laid down in Directive 94/12/EC for passenger cars; . the limit values for class II and III vehicles are as strict as those which apply to class I, given the specific technical features of the vehicles in these two classes. - As far as test conditions applicable to vehicles with a low power-to-weight ratio are concerned, no new specific provision has been included and it is proposed that the directive should apply in two years' time to existing vehicles which received type approval before it entered into force. - The Member States will be able to grant tax incentives in order to encourage the sale of vehicles which meet the requirements adopted at Community level. - Finally, it is proposed that the Commission be instructed to submit proposals on new reductions in emissions from light commercial vehicle engines by June 1996. These proposals will be based on the multi-directional approach to reducing emissions applied in Directive 94/12/EC.�