EU Regulation sets stricter diesel engine exhaust emissions
Introduction
Over the last 20 years, engine exhaust emissions from agricultural machines have been reduced significantly in line with applicable EU legislation. Today, a modern agricultural tractor emits about 95% less Nitrogen oxides (NOx) and Particulate Matter (PM) than a comparable machine did twenty years ago.
Clean Ag machines – What’s new?
From 2019 onwards, a further reduction in diesel engine emissions will follow as new limits, the so-called ‘Stage V’ requirements, will become effective. This new Regulation will introduce Particulate Number limits and emission limits for the smallest and biggest engines used in agricultural machines (<19kW & > 560kW). With this step, EU environmental requirements for agricultural machines will become the strictest in the world. This requires major changes to tractors and other agricultural machinery as new engines need to be installed in all these vehicles.
New EU Regulation (engine emissions Stage V)
The agricultural machinery industry is committed to improving air quality in Europe by adapting its machines to the upcoming ‘Stage V’ requirements. To make the necessary investments, the industry needs balanced rules to ensure the costs are spread over a reasonable period of time.
It is important to underline that the European agricultural machinery industry currently produces a broad range of different machines with diesel engines (such as tractors or combine harvesters). To comply with the new technical provisions, CEMA requested sufficient transition time that will provide manufacturers the necessary lead-time. This is necessary to build their machines in compliance with technical requirements and place them on the market on time once the stage V requirements will be mandatory. Particularly, for SMEs an extended lead time is needed. Additionally, CEMA dedicated provisions with respect to replacement engines are needed. CEMA welcomes the legislation including sufficient time for development and an exemption for replacement engines.
One special case regarding engine emission limits is the new emission requirements for narrow tractors used in vineyard and orchards. In the past these narrow tractors received a delay as the new engines are were incompatible with the operational requirements of these tractors. The new legislation ensures a smooth emission timeline for these tractors.
Guidance for manufacturers
The new Stage V Regulation introduces new requirements and exemptions. To help agricultural machinery manufacturers with the implementation of the legislation CEMA developed with other European associations such as CECE (construction equipment), Euromot (engines), FEM (material handling equipment) and EGMF (garden equipment) a guidance document. This document including 101 questions and answers can be found here: Brochure FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS NRMM
Additionally, changes exist between the implementation of the legislation for self-propelled agricultural machinery and tractors. To give more guidance on these differences and the implication for tractor manufacturers CEMA developed the following dedicated TRACTOR GUIDE
