Brussels, 08/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - The Environment Council gather in Brussels, reached a political agreement, in view of a common position over the Directive that will tighten the maximum level of emissions from new two or three wheel motorcycles, as of 2003, in the framework of the "auto-oil" legislation (modification of Directive 97/24/EC). The Ministers managed to agree over the introduction of non-binding maximum levels as of 2006 thus deciding to add a second stage to the target date of 2003, from which the tighter maximum levels will be mandatory. Germany abstained, specifying, in a statement to the minutes, that it would have preferred a more ambitious text setting binding maximum levels for around 2006.
The agreement text foresees the introduction of the following maximum levels:
First stage 2003 - binding maximum level: carbon monoxide (CO): 5.5 grams/km (against 13gr/km at present); nitrogen oxides (NOx): 0.3 gr./km (as at present); hydrocarbons (CH): 1.2 gr./km (against 3gr/km at present) and 1 gr./km for vehicles with a power above 150cc.
Second stage - indicative maximum levels: CO: 2 grams/km; NOx: 0.15 gr./km; CH 0.8 gr./km and for engines more powerful than 150 cc: 0.3 gr./km.
Once consolidated, the text of the common position will be passed on to the European Parliament which should rule in second reading on a text that it examined in first reading last 14 February.
EUROPE recalls that the first Auto-oil programme had left aside motorcycles whose contribution towards total emissions for road transport should nevertheless increase very rapidly. Reason for this new Directive, which will modify the present legislation.