THE European Parliament has decreed all new-model diesel cars sold from mid-2009 will have to be fitted with particulate filters.

It has also said that from January 2011, new cars sold which are part of an existing range will also have to have filters fitted.

Ivan Hodac, of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, said: 'The proposed limit values will not only be extremely difficult to meet, but will have a significant counterproductive effect on reducing (carbon dioxide) emissions from passenger cars.'

'Prices for diesel cars, which make up half of Europe's new car market, could rise by as much as €900, triggering a shift to petrol-powered cars that emit more CO2.'