Brussels, 23/09/2015 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 23 September, MEPs at the European Parliament's environment committee gave their support to the reduction of harmful emissions from road vehicles in the interest of public safety.
By an overwhelming majority (66 votes in favour, one against, and no abstentions) they gave their support to the proposal to revise EU legislation on private passenger vehicles and light and heavy utility vehicles, in an effort to guarantee a reduction in nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen oxide, particles, methane and ammonia. The Volkswagen scandal provided some additional support to the MEPs in their initiative and they backed, by a large majority, the Greens/EFA amendment which called for a new car emissions test procedure in real conditions.
The rapporteur, Albert Dess (EPP, Germany) obtained a mandate (64 votes in favour, one against, and no abstentions) for beginning negotiations with the Council.
The MEPs support a revision of methane emissions levels, a powerful greenhouse gas, and want a limit for nitrogen oxide - the limit apparently based on a detailed impact assessment. The proposal for a regulation had been presented by the Commission in January 2014 in order to amend Regulations 715/2007/EC and 595/2009/EC. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)