Air pollution: emissions of gaseous and particulate pollutants from diesel engines (amend. Direct. 88/77/EEC)

In general, the Commission welcomes the Council's common position and invites the two institutions to reach agreement on measures applied to heavy duty vehicles as soon as possible. It notes that the Council agrees with it regarding the retention of the derogation for small high speed diesel engines. In addition, the Council has confirmed that this exception shall end from the application of a second stage in 2005. The Council also agreed with it concerning the apportioning of the two new test cycles to different engine technologies and fuel requirements. It also concurred on the need to extend the scope of the Directive to provide for the European type-approval of gas-fuelled engines. In tightening the Commission's proposal with the addition of a mandatory second stage applicable from October 2005 and a further mandatory stage applicable from 2008 (but subject to Commission review), the common position meets the aspirations of the Parliament. In agreeing further mandatory stages applicable from 2005, the Council, in the Commission's opinion, has set extremely challenging targets for the heavy duty vehicle and engine industry and the exhaust aftertreatment industry. The Commission seeks to highlight the fact that the time for the development of sufficiently durable and efficient particulate and NOx reduction technology capable of complying with the 2005 limits, as applied in advance of 2005 through tax incentives, is extremely short.�