Commission proposal to boost introduction of fuel efficient technologies
The European Commission is hoping to speed up the introduction of the latest fuel efficient technologies with a proposal, announced on 11 May, to introduce sulphur free petrol and diesel in every Member State from 1 January 2005. The proposal suggests that the use of zero sulphur petrol should be mandatory from 2011. Sulphur in petrol and diesel diminishes the performance of both new and existing exhausts after treatment devices such as catalytic converters. Such legislation would therefore considerably reduce emissions of air pollutants from older vehicles and help improve air quality. 'This is a good day for the environment,' said EU Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström. 'The availability of sulphur-free will remove an important technical barrier to the introduction of the most advanced fuel efficient vehicles. We can now expect significant reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide from new cars, vans, trucks and buses.'