Background & Objective
Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/443 modernises the EU’s Euro 6 emissions framework by introducing the Euro 6e emissions package for passenger cars (M1) and light commercial vehicles (N1). The Regulation updates technical requirements and emissions test procedures to ensure that type-approval results better reflect real-world driving conditions, drawing on experience gained from corresponding UN ECE vehicle emissions regulations.
Regulatory Enhancements
a. Enhanced Emissions Test Procedures
- Refined Real Driving Emissions (RDE) testing, including updated conformity factors and boundary conditions
- Expanded testing across wider ambient temperatures, driving dynamics, and vehicle load conditions
- Improved robustness and consistency of emissions measurements using Portable Emissions Measurement Systems (PEMS)
b. Auxiliary Emission Strategies (AES)
- New requirements to enhance transparency and detectability of AES
- Mandatory indication of AES activation via on-board diagnostics (OBD)
- Strengthened regulatory oversight to reduce the risk of emissions control circumvention
c. Revised CO₂ Utility Factors for PHEVs
- Updated methodology for calculating CO₂ emissions performance of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
- Utility factors revised to better reflect real-world electric driving behaviour
- Further refinements introduced in later phases using fuel and energy consumption monitoring (FCM) data
Phased Implementation & Key Dates
The Regulation establishes three sequential compliance phases with defined transition timelines:
| Phase | Mandatory for New Vehicle Types | Mandatory for All New Vehicles | Notes / Key Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Euro 6e | 1 September 2023 | 1 September 2024 | Initial Euro 6e requirements |
| Transitional Period | — | Until 31 December 2025 | Validity of Euro 6e approvals before Euro 6e-bis full fleet application |
| Euro 6e-bis | 1 January 2025 | 1 January 2026 | AES flagging & revised PHEV utility factors |
| Euro 6e-bis-FCM | 1 January 2027 | 1 January 2028 | Final utility factors based on fuel/energy consumption monitoring (FCM) |
Milestone:
31 December 2025 marks the end of the Euro 6e transition period, after which Euro 6e-bis requirements apply to all new vehicles placed on the EU market.
Compliance Implications
- OEMs and type-approval holders must update emissions testing strategies, OBD systems, and technical documentation
- PHEV CO₂ declarations will become more stringent and representative of real-world performance
- Stronger alignment between laboratory testing, real-world emissions, and in-use compliance is expected across the EU market
Source: Euro 6e Standards Update
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