The European Emission Standards have been around for decades and have been used to classify vehicle regulations and limit exhaust pipe emissions to acceptable levels. The EU introduced Euro 1 in 1992, and new standards have been introduced, with more stringent standards. The latest standard is Euro 6, which was introduced in September 2014.
Exhaust emissions have a vital role to play in reducing air pollution and limiting their effect on climate change. The harmful chemicals include nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter (PM).
To motivate companies that use trucks to update their fleet with the ‘cleaner’ standards, clean air zones and ultra low emission zones have and are continually being introduced in major cities across the UK. Entering these zones may impose a levy if you have less than a Euro 6 truck. The charge is daily and can mount up to a significant fee by the end of the month if you use a Euro 4 or Euro 5 truck.
What Are The Euro 6 Standards
Truck and lorry manufacturers must comply with the latest Euro Emissions Standard for their vehicles on the date they were registered. If a truck was registered on or after the dates below, then its Euro rating should be as follows:
- Euro 1 trucks – 31st December 1992
- Euro 2 trucks – 1st January 1997
- Euro 3 trucks – 1st January 2001
- Euro 4 trucks – 1st January 2006
- Euro 5 trucks – 1st January 2011
- Euro 6 trucks – 1st September 2015
The Euro 6 standard specifically targeted reducing NOx from diesel engines due to the research-backed evidence that they cause respiratory problems in humans. Manufacturers must lower a truck’s output of NOx emissions by 55%, against Euro 5 standards. The change reduces acceptable emissions from 180mg/km to 80mg/km.
To produce Euro 6 trucks, manufacturers leverage various technologies such as diesel particulate filters, exhaust gas recirculation, and selective catalytic reduction with AdBlue, which has its own tank for refilling.
The Importance Of Being Euro 6 Compliant
Using Euro 6 trucks is vital if you want to avoid significant ULEZ charges. You will also experience improved fuel economy, and Euro 6 trucks are typically more powerful than Euro 5 trucks. Whether it is to avoid ULEZ charges, reduce pollution, experience better performance, or lower your fuel costs, it makes great sense to choose a Euro 6 truck.
UK ultra low emission zones are in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with an exception on Christmas Day. The area covers central London and is the same as the area covered by the congestion charge. You can view a map of the current ULEZ here.
The fee runs from midnight to midnight, so you will pay for a second day if you have not left the zone by midnight on any given day. If your truck does not meet the ULEZ standard, you will pay a daily fee of:
- £12.50 for vans up to 3.5 tonnes
- £100 for heavy goods vehicles and lorries over 3.5 tonnes
You can confirm your clean air zone charge by inputting your vehicle registration here.
From 25th October 2021, the ULEZ will be expanded from central London to cover an area up to, but not including, the South Circular Road (A205) and North Circular Road (A406). You can read a more detailed description of the new ULEZ boundary here.
At Mac’s Trucks, we sell a vast array of Euro 6 trucks from our base in Huddersfield. Whether you are looking for a crane truck, beavertail, flatbed, removal van, or curtainsider, we have a huge selection of Euro 6 trucks for you. Check out our stock or call our expert sales team on 01422 311999 and let them find the perfect Euro 6 lorry for you.
