Petrol and Diesel fuel (Hansard, 11 May 2004)

§ Lord Davies of Oldham

The quality of petrol and diesel fuel is controlled by EU Directive 98/70/EC (as amended) with the aim of reducing harmful emissions either by controlling the quality of the fuel itself for example, by limiting aromatic content) or by improving its compatibility with emission control devices used on vehicles (for example, by limiting sulphur content to improve catalyst efficiency). The Government have undertaken research on vehicles to investigate the effects of such fuels on regulated pollutants, but has conducted no research with the specific aim of changing fuel parameters to reduce pollutants further. A summary report (DP 01/05/0515) of a joint study by the former DETR, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and the oil industries research body (CONCAWE) to investigate, among other things, the effect on fuel quality on particulate emissions is an illustration of the type of research normally conducted. Copies of the report have been place in the Library of the House.