Air quality trends in London confirm predictions

In response to growing concern over urban air quality in the European Union, the 90s saw an unprecedented legislative focus on reducing emissions from road transport. The Consolidated Vehicles Directive (CVD) and its revision (Council Directives 91/441/EEC and 94/12/EC) set new emission limits for vehicles registered after 31 December 1992 with a further tightening of these limits for vehicles registered after 31 December 1995.

The revised sulphur in gas oil Directive (Council Directive 93/12/EEC) was, in part, designed to ensure that the sulphur level in diesel fuel was suitable for the diesel vehicle technology anticipated to be required to meet the post ’95 emission limits of the CVD.