Euro VI Standards for New Heavy Vehicles

Published on March 6, 2023

The Australian Government has adopted a new Australian Design Rule 80/04, mandating Euro VI standards for all newly approved heavy vehicle models supplied from 1 November 2024, and all existing models supplied from 1 November 2025, to reduce noxious emissions from the road transport sector.

The current minimum noxious emission standard for new heavy vehicles in Australia is Australian Design Rule 80/03, which is based on the international standard known as Euro V, with vehicles meeting equivalent US or Japanese standards also accepted.

The introduction of a new Australian Design Rule 80/04 based on Euro VI will reduce the maximum permitted emissions of oxides of nitrogen by up to 80 per cent and the maximum permitted emissions of particulates by up to 66 per cent. It also adopts an improved and more rigorous laboratory test for measuring emissions and a new on-road emissions test to maximise the benefits in real world conditions.

The emission control technologies required to meet Euro VI do not directly improve fuel efficiency or reduce CO2 emissions, but it is anticipated Australia will gain access to more fuel-efficient engines available in other markets with equivalent standards, as global vehicle manufacturers are required to reduce CO2 and noxious emissions concurrently in those markets. The introduction of Euro VI will also help reduce noxious emissions, such as nitrous oxide, are also more potent greenhouse gases than CO2.

To minimise impacts on the heavy vehicle industry and encourage the uptake of vehicles meeting the latest international safety and emission standards, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA) is working with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), the National Transport Commission (NTC) and state and territory road agencies to progress reforms to mass limits for trucks with advanced safety and emissions technologies. DITRDCA is also working with industry, and state and territory governments, to consider increasing width limits (from 2.5 metres to 2.55 metres) for trucks with advanced safety features. These reforms may enable a wider range of low and zero emission trucks to be supplied in Australia.

The new standard will support the Sustainable Development Goals by improving resource efficiency and reducing pollution from heavy duty road vehicles supplied to the Australian market for use in freight and passenger transport over the period to 2050.