The new EU type approval "framework" Regulation covering L category vehicles, i.e. two wheeled vehicles, three wheeled vehicles and quadricycles, EU Regulation No. 168/2013, was published earlier this year. This Regulation introduces numerous new and amended requirements for L category vehicles, and type approval to this Regulation becomes mandatory from 1st January 2016 for new types of vehicle.
During the negotiations over the requirements to be included in (EU) No. 168/2013, the European Parliament, European Council and the European Commission identified two amendments to the current legal requirements that they wanted to introduce more urgently than would be permitted by including them within the new type approval "framework" Regulation. The two amendments identified related to the following areas:
- The emissions requirements applicable to mopeds, which were felt to be insufficiently stringent compared to the emissions requirements applicable to other types of motor vehicle.
- The introduction of a requirement for the mandatory fitment of automatically switched dipped beam headlamps to L category vehicles to ensure their conspicuity in general road traffic now that the fitment of daytime running lamps is becoming mandatory for all other categories of motor vehicle, i.e. M and N category.
To address this situation, a new Directive amending the existing Directives on type approval (2002/24/EC), emissions (97/24/EC) and lighting installation (2009/67/EC) was drafted. This amending Directive, 2013/60/EU, was published on 10th December 2013. It increases the stringency of the emissions requirements applicable to L1e, L2e and L6e category vehicles, i.e. two wheeled mopeds, three wheeled mopeds and light quadricycles, and introduces a requirement for all L category vehicles to be fitted with automatically switched dipped beam headlamps or dedicated daytime running lamps.
Although 2013/60/EU does not change the emissions limits applicable to L1e, L2e and L6e category vehicles, it does introduce a change to the emissions test procedure that has the effect of significantly increasing the stringency of the emissions requirements.Under the current emissions test procedure applied to L1e, L2e and L6e category vehicles, the vehicle is driven over eight consecutive urban drive cycles. However, the emissions are only measured over the last four drive cycles, with the first four drive cycles only serving to "warm up" the engine.Under the new test procedure introduced by 2013/60/EU, the vehicle is driven over the same eight consecutive urban drive cycles, but the emissions are measured throughout all eight drive cycles, i.e. from a "cold" start.
In addition to this amendment to the emissions test procedure, 2013/60/EU also introduces the following new requirements relating to the emissions from L1e, L2e and L6e category vehicles:
- A requirement that the crankcase ventilation system fitted to the vehicle must be designed to ensure that no crankcase gases are emitted from the vehicle throughout its useful life.
- A requirement to measure the CO2 emissions and fuel consumption during the urban drive cycle emissions test.
With regard to vehicle lighting, 2013/60/EU amends EC Directive 2009/67/EC on lighting installation to require the mandatory fitment of automatically switched dipped beam headlamps or dedicated daytime running lamps to all L category vehicles. Whether automatically switched dipped beam headlamps or dedicated daytime running lamps are fitted, they must illuminate whenever the vehicle’s propulsion system is active, e.g. whenever the engine is running.
Compliance with the new requirements introduced by 2013/60/EU becomes mandatory for new types of L category vehicle from 1st July 2014.