The evidence is that real improvements are being delivered, but that these improvements may possibly not be as great as those within Defra’s Emissions Factors Toolkit (EFT) used to inform assessments of future vehicle emissions.
The review has led Air Quality Consultants to develop a new sensitivity test that it will apply to assessments of vehicle impacts associated with new developments. Up until now, Air Quality Consultants has applied a sensitivity test that involves no reduction in emissions per vehicle, and has presented this alongside the assessment based on EFT emissions. This approach was adopted to address the previous experience with emissions from pre-Euro 6/IV vehicles, which did not show the expected decline in real world emissions. The new sensitivity test allows for real reductions from Euro 6/VI vehicles but with emissions that are higher than those set out in Defra’s EFT.
The new evidence on Euro 6/VI emissions has also been carried through to the background maps published by Defra, which are an integral part of future year assessments (background map adjustments are described here).
Air Quality Consultants is presenting its new sensitivity test as a ‘reasonable worst-case assessment’ in its new reports.
Air Quality Consultants will continue to monitor developments with Euro 6/VI emissions and evidence of real-world performance to ensure it is providing a service based on the most up-to-date information.
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