With strict new limits about to be set for emissions from any new cars sold in the EU from 2012, the continent’s commercial vehicle manufacturers have asked the European Commission and other worldwide policy makers to agree an air pollution control package.

They hope that such a move will result in the first global standard for commercial vehicles – something the passenger vehicle industry has been trying to bring about for its sector for years.

Manufacturers say there will be substantial savings, which can be passed on to motorists by creating a worldwide emissions standard for each sector of vehicles.

Currently, the US has one set of rules, Europe another, Japan another and so on. Manufacturers say this means they have to adapt technologies to suit the varying emission rules depending on where the vehicle is to be sold.