raise truck prices
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few and persuading the Swiss to take heavier trucks on its roads.
Brussels plans draft proposals by April so tough new truck emission standards can take effect by 1 January 1993. The extra costs could add 20% to vehicle prices — not counting the additional costs of operating with cleaner fuel.
Eurocrats are talking about cutting CV noise limits to 80 dB(A): "Anything less would not be realistic," a senior official has told Commercial Motor.
The new emission levels which came into force in July 1988 are expected to be cut again, by up to 60%.
Motor industry representatives in Brussels are asking for wide-ranging talks as a prelude to any new legislation, pointing out that noise pollution could be reduced by improved road surfaces and better tyre design (see Vehicles News page 12).
The Road Haulage Association says that gaseous emissions could be reduced fairly quickly, hut that particulate emissions could be a problem until the end of the 90s.
Noise levels
The latest Brussels proposal on truck noise levels surpasses regulations scheduled for 1 October, as part of the controversial EC directive 84/424.
Under this directive, trucks above 3.5 tonnes GVW with an engine power of less than 75kW must achieve drive-by noise levels of 81dB(A); those with a power rating of between 75-150kW must meet 831:1B (A); while those of 150kW and above must meet 84dB(A).
Austrian legislation was brought in following growing local environmental pressure over truck traffic through the busy Brenner Pass and Inn Valley region. Since 1 December last year, operators using vehicles in those areas between 22:00 and 05:00hrs have had to meet drive-by noise levels of 80dB(A)/7811B(A) (for trucks with engines above/ below 149kW).
The Austrians have exempted certain vehicles from the night-time noise ban, until May of this year (CM 16-22 November 1989).