Brussels, 24/01/2007 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday, the European Commission decided to give the go-ahead to a German state aid scheme that aims to help transport operators acquire heavy vehicles with better emission performance. This is especially important for congested urban areas, which have difficulties meeting European anti-pollution requirements. The German aid scheme in question encourages the purchase of heavy goods vehicles to be equipped with engines that correspond to EURO 5 standards or standards that are even tougher on emissions, in compliance with emission limit values included in the 1999/96/EC directive. The above-mentioned scheme stimulates the acquisition of heavy vehicles with engines corresponding to EURO 5 standards or stricter emission limits - according to the emission values limit set in Directive 1999/96/EC. The purchase of EURO 5 heavy vehicles will, under some conditions, be subsidised until 30 September 2008. The grants for the acquisition of enhanced environmentally friendly heavy vehicles, whose engines correspond to stricter emission limits than EURO 5, is approved for a period of 6 years. Although the payment will provide the operators of heavy vehicles with an economic advantage, the Commission has found that the proposed aid scheme is in line with Community rules, as it covers spending for environmental protection within allowed ceilings. Jacques Barrot, European Commission Vice-president in charge of transport, said "It is an essential aim of European transport policy to support the development of cleaner and environmentally friendly road transport". (hb)