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

OBJECTIVE: 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 private cars. COMMUNITY MEASURE: European Parliament and Council Directive 96/69/EC amending Directive 70/220/EEC on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to measures to be taken against air pollution from emissions from motor vehicles. SUBSTANCE: the directive aims in particular to introduce a new stage in the reduction of pollutants emitted by light commercial vehicles by bringing their emission limit values into line with those laid down for private cars in directive 94/12/EC pending a fundamental revision of the Community approach to pollution by automobiles for the year 2000. The Council has provided for a later tightening of the limit values applicable to vehicles in classes II and III of the N1 category as well as to direct-injection diesel engines designed for use in such vehicles. As far as tax incentives are concerned, the directive provides that Member States may grant tax incentives up to 1 October 1997 for vehicles in Class I (light commercial vehicles with a reference mass of 1 250 kg or less) and up to 1 October 1998 for vehicles in Class II (light commercial vehicles with a reference mass exceeding 1 250 kg but no greater than 1 700 kg) and Class III (light commercial vehicles with a reference mass exceeding 1 700 kg) to motor vehicles which comply in advance with the requirements of Directive 70/220/EEC as amended by this Directive. ENTRY INTO FORCE: 21/11/1996. DEADLINE FOR TRANSPOSITION: 01/10/1996 �