In the wake of the VW emissions scandal, MEPs have backed the mandatory introduction of fuel economy meters on all new cars, vans and trucks by 2019, in an attempt to encourage European motorists to drive in a more efficient manner.
 
Motorists altering their driving style thanks to information from these meters could save around 50 euros (£37) per year, reports pressure group Transport & Environment. This comes after MEPs have pushed for new 'real-life' fuel economy tests to be in place by 2017, with the environment committee adopting an update to EU car emissions rules last Wednesday, which set limits on pollutants including NOx.
 
The environment committee of the European Parliament specified that economy meters should be permanently visible and fitted alongside gear shift indicators in new cars from 2018 for brand new models and from 1 January 2019 onwards, with these providing the potential for economy gains of between 2 and 3%.
 
Responding to the move, lead MEP Albert Dess said: "Today the environment committee has shown its strong support for the completion of the real driving emissions procedure. It is very important that road vehicles comply with tough emission laws not only in the laboratory but also in the real world."
 
This draft law updates pre-existing legislation published in an attempt to reduce the amount of pollutants emitted from cars, with NOx levels coming under scrutiny as new diesel vehicles have been found to be emitted increasing amounts of NO2, which is posing new environment issues, reports Transport & Environment.