Briefing

Tackling emissions from diesel machines

November 19, 2013

European air pollution rules for diesel machines such as bulldozers, excavators and barges are much more lax than those for cars and lorries. As well as this, some engine types and older machines are excluded from air pollution law.

Download the briefing

This is a problem because, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), diesel exhaust is carcinogenic. Ambitious, comprehensive and consistent rules are needed to limit air pollution emissions from non-road mobile machinery (NRMM – diesel machines). These are required to address the growing urban air pollution that Europe faces. T&E believes that future EU legislation on diesel machines must be in line with emissions limits for equivalent road vehicles.

View All

Press Release

Leaked car industry paper: carmakers’ EU demands would cut EV sales in half

Carmaker lobby ACEA wants to turn Europe’s car regulation into a ‘Swiss cheese – full of holes’.

October 8, 2025

Heavy traffic in London. Cars are a major source of CO2 emissions in the UK

Opinion

The car is a luxury for many and unaffordable for some

Those arguing against higher car taxes to avoid transport poverty should instead call for these in combination with financial support for low-income h...

October 3, 2025