2023 Author: Eric Donovan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 15:44
With the emissions standard that will probably come into force in 2009, some limit values will become stricter. But the changes are comparatively small for cars in Germany.
By Heiko Haupt and Felix Rehwald
In 2009, Euro 5 will become current. However, whether there will be tax breaks, as in the past, is still being discussed. The plan for Euro 5 looks like this: "The introduction is due on September 1, 2009," says Arnulf Thiemel from the ADAC technology center in Landsberg (Bavaria). At this point, however, not all new cars have to meet the requirements. Rather, it is about new models that should receive their so-called type approval from this date. "But it also applies to an existing model with a new engine - that must then also meet Euro 5." For the SUV, there is a transition period of three years, explains Sabine Götz from the Automobile Club of Germany (AvD) in Frankfurt / Main. There is also a grace period until 2011 for car model series and model variants that are already on offer.
No big changes
The big revolution will not be Euro 5 - it should rather be seen as an intermediate step on the way to the next tightening planned for 2014. And in Germany in particular, the new standard is unlikely to cause a stir. “We have practically anticipated Euro 5 due to the widespread use of particle filters in diesel models and the introduction of environmental zones,” says Prof. Ferdinand Dudenhöffer from the Gelsenkirchen University of Applied Sciences. Because in the end the changes are limited, especially for the gasoline engine. The most important innovations relate to the topic of particles - and thus diesel exhaust gases. So far, the Euro 4 standard still allows particle quantities of up to 0.025 grams per kilometer (g / km). With Euro 5, this value drops to just 0.005 g / km, according to the Verkehrsclub Deutschland (VCD) in Berlin."This value can then only be achieved with a particle filter," explains VCD spokesman Daniel Kluge.
Not a big deal for nitrogen oxides
In Germany, the particle filter has long since established itself. The European standard will therefore be particularly important for other EU countries in which the particle filter is not yet widespread. Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are another topic with regard to future emissions standards. And here too there will probably only be major changes with the Euro 6 standard expected in 2014. It is not a long way from the NOx value of Euro 4 of 0.25 g / km for diesel to the maximum 0.18 g / km required by Euro 5. "Manufacturers will be able to achieve this relatively small reduction without major measures," says Daniel Kluge.
Advantages for "particularly clean cars"
The big break comes in 2014: Then it goes down rapidly from 0.18 g / km with the NOx limit values to just 0.08 g / km. This value can no longer be achieved for manufacturers without complex additional technology. One example of exhaust gas cleaning is the Bluetec technology with urea added by Mercedes. Tax benefits for new Euro 5 cars were not originally planned. Because the auto industry is suffering from massive sales problems due to the financial crisis, the German government is planning to suspend the vehicle tax for “particularly clean vehicles” for a limited period in order to stimulate the sluggish auto business. It is under discussion that owners of new vehicles in the Euro 5 and Euro 6 emission classes should not pay any taxes for two years. Buyers of new cars with the Euro 4 standard are to be given one year tax exemption.
It has not yet been decided
The environmental associations are resisting the plans, however, because they lack the ecological control function in them: large fuel guzzlers would be given just as much benefit as economical small cars. However, nothing has been decided yet, because the tax abatement plans would have to be approved by the countries that are currently still entitled to the income from the vehicle tax. This fact has so far prevented a radical reform of the vehicle tax. Because the federal and state governments were unable to reach an agreement, the issue was postponed until 2010. Even if the tax bonuses for Euro 5 vehicles are ultimately not implemented - those who care about the environment should still use such models. Sabine Götz names the Audi Q5, Opel Insignia and VW Golf VI as examples. But buyers should also remember that the car not only meets the requirementsbut is actually certified as a Euro 5 vehicle. The relevant information can be found in the vehicle documents. In a sales contract, it should be noted that the car not only meets the values, but also has a Euro 5 type approval. (dpa)
