EU: emissions type-approval of heavy duty vehicles using pure biodiesel

 

The EU Commission has published a Draft Commission Regulation amending Regulation (EU) No 582/2011 as regards the emissions type-approval of heavy duty vehicles using pure biodiesel.

It concerns the addition of pure biofuels as a possible reference fuel for testing in emissions type-approval.

The draft would amend the Annexes I and IX to Regulation (EU) 582/2011.

Vehicles type-approved in the EU need to be able to run on pure biodiesel and on different blends of biodiesel and fossil fuels in case of need.

In accordance with Article 3 of Commission Regulation (EU) No 582/2011 , type-approval of motor vehicles and engines with regard to emissions requires that the manufacturer ensures compliance with the specifications of reference fuels set out in Annex IX to that Regulation used for type-approval testing.

Pure biodiesel (FAME B100) is not listed in Annex IX to Regulation (EU) No 582/2011 as a reference fuel for the emission type-approval of heavy duty vehicles. Type-approval testing needs to be duplicated on both diesel (B7) as well as pure biodiesel (B100) in order to demonstrate compliance with emissions requirements. To minimise duplication of testing and to facilitate the certification for the use of pure biodiesel and biodiesel blends (such as FAME B20/B30), it is necessary to introduce the specifications for pure biodiesel as a reference fuel, based on relevant international and European standards. Demonstrating compliance with the emission testing requirements should be allowed by emission testing of the parent engine on pure biodiesel.

Commission Regulation (EU) No 582/2011 2011 is therefore being amended accordingly.