Ever since the world community has started to take Global Warming seriously, improving air quality has become the foremost concern of many. Automobiles, one of the biggest emitters of pollutants, have become the target of many environmental protection agencies. Now, irrespective of whether it’s a petrol or diesel engine, it needs to conform to certain emission standards.
In the European Union, Euro 6 is being used to measure CO2 emissions targets. In Pakistan, locally manufactured cars use the same emissions standards.
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Let’s dig deeper into these emission standards and what they mean to our environment.
When was the First Emission Standard Introduced?
The overall state of air quality is greatly affected by the emissions from combustion engines. This was recognized in 1970, and since then, emission regulations have been introduced. However, these regulations sat on the shelves for the next two decades. Until 1992, when the emphasis on quality of air and global warming increased.
In 1992, emission standards became general practice for new cars, and catalytic converters were made mandatory. This led to the first Euro 1 standard in 1992. Since then, many advancements have led to more modernized and safer standards. The European Union is currently promoted to Euro 6 standards, which extremely limits the emission of toxins.
Types of Euro Standards and What Do They Mean?
Ever wonder what Euro 2, Euro 4, and catalytic converters mentioned on your car’s rear window mean? These are emission standards. Let’s understand what these standards mean and how clean is your car for the environment?
1. Euro 1
Euro 1 was the first Europe-wide emission standard introduced in 1992. This was the first time a catalytic converter was incorporated in a vehicle. This was also the first time a combustion engine had to switch to unleaded petrol in order to comply with emission standards.
The catalytic converters are used to reduce carbon monoxide (CO) emissions. The abbreviations mentioned in the table are as follows:
CO = Carbon Monoxide
HC = Hydrocarbons
NOx = Oxides of Nitrogen
PM = Particulate Matter
THC = Total hydroCarbons
NMHC= non-methane hydrocarbons
The first Euro standard had no clear differentiation of Petrol and Diesel Standards. The emission limits were as follows:
Euro 1 emission standard for petrol and diesel
| CO | 2.72g/km |
| HC+ NOx | 0.97g/km |
| PM | 0.14g/km (diesel only) |
2. Euro 2
By 1996, Euro 1 technology was phased out by a more stealth Euro 2 technology. This further reduced the emissions of harmful gasses. Euro 2 emission standards control the unburned hydrocarbons and oxides of nitrogen from spilling out into the atmosphere.
Euro 2 is now phased out globally, but unfortunately, it’s still very prevalent in Pakistan. Mehran was using Euro 2 technology since 2019 when it was discontinued, the same is the case with Cultus in 2016 and Toyota Corolla which uses Euro 2 technology since 2019.
Euro 2 Petrol Standards
| CO | 2.2g/km |
| HC+ NOx | 0.5g/km |
Euro 2 Diesel Standards
| CO | 1.0g/km |
| HC+ NOx | 0.7g/km |
| PM | 0.08g/km |
3. Euro 3
Euro 3 was launched in January 2000. Euro 3 introduced separate limits for nitrogen oxide. Apart from that, the warm-up period for engines was also removed. However, the carbon monoxide limits were slightly increased which was unusual.
Euro 3 Petrol Standards
| CO | 2.3g/km |
| NOx | 0.15g/km |
| THC | 0.20g/km |
Euro 3 Diesel Standards
| CO | 0.66g/km |
| HC+ NOx | 0.56g/km |
| PM | 0.05g/km |
| NOx | 0.50g/km |
4. Euro 4
Introduced in 2005, Euro 4 standards established new benchmarks, further scrutinizing the number of toxic gasses. Diesel engines, in particular, suffered the most.
In Pakistan, many new cars still use this emission standard. The Euro 4 car list includes Toyota Fortuner, Honda Civic 2021, Honda BRV, etc.
Euro 4 Petrol Standards
| CO | 1.0g/km |
| NOx | 0.08g/km |
| THC | 0.10g/km |
Euro 4 Diesel Standards
| CO | 0.50g/km |
| HC+ NOx | 0.30g/km |
| PM | 0.025g/km |
| NOx | 0.25g/km |
5. Euro 5
With Euro 5 emission standards, diesel particulate filters (DPF) were installed for the very first time. This was done to filter up to 99% of the particulate matter that a standard diesel engine adds to the air. Euro 5 vehicles emit toxins equivalent to one grain of sand per kilometer driven.
For petrol variants, the emission limits were further scrutinized. Euro 5 was launched in 2009 globally. At the time, Pakistan was shifting from carburetors to Efi technology.
Euro 5 Petrol Standards
| CO | 1.0g/km |
| NOx | 0.06g/km |
| THC | 0.10g/km |
| NMHC | 0.068g/km |
| PM | 0.005g/km ( direct injection only) |
Euro 5 Diesel Standards
| CO | 0.50g/km |
| HC+ NOx | 0.23g/km |
| PM | 0.005g/km |
| NOx | 0.18g/km |
| PN(#km) | 6.0×10 ^11/km |
6. Euro 6
This is the latest emission standard implemented for combustion vehicles. Launched in 2014, it drastically reduces the Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) compounds by more than half of what Euro 5 standards allowed.
Euro 6 mainly focuses on NOx due to its relation to respiratory problems, as proven by the latest studies. To comply with the emission limit of this standard, many car manufacturers engineered solutions like reducing agents into the catalytic converter or directing some part of exhaust gas to the combustion chamber to lower the burning temperature. The only locally produced car with Euro 6 emission standards in Pakistan is Oshan X7 by Changan.
Euro 6 Petrol Standards
| CO | 1.0g/km |
| NOx | 0.06g/km |
| THC | 0.10g/km |
| NMHC | 0.068g/km |
| PM | 0.005g/km ( direct injection only) |
Euro 6 Diesel Standards
| CO | 0.50g/km |
| HC+ NOx | 0.23g/km |
| PM | 0.005g/km |
| NOx | 0.18g/km |
| PN(#km) | 6.0×10 ^11/km |
Will Pakistan Ever Get the Latest Emission Standards?
In Pakistan, auto manufacturers struggle with years-old emission technologies while the world has moved to the latest Euro 6 standard. However, not all auto manufacturers are the same. Credit should be given where due; Changan Oshan X7 is Pakistan’s first Euro 6 compliant locally produced car. Other cars from Changan, like Alsvin, are also Euro 5 compliant, making them superior in emission controls to Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.
It’s about time the government of Pakistan realizes that car emissions are one of the main reasons behind worsening air quality index and smog issues. The introduction of EVs in Pakistan is slow.
By standardizing the latest emission standards, the impact of harmful emissions can be reduced by many folds. With record-breaking sales, there are more cars than ever on the roads of Pakistan. If we don’t take action today, the results can be disastrous.
How do you propose to limit the carbon emissions from your car. Let us know.
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