Retrofitting - Diesel particulate filter

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Your source of information about Low Emission Zones and how they affect you when you drive in Europe. There are many Low Emission Zones (LEZs) in 10 European countries. Low Emission Zones are areas where vehicle access is limited by its emissions.

This website, www.lowemissionzones.eu, gives all the information you need to drive in LEZs in Europe. The information is available within 1-2 clicks from the homepage, either via the frontpage map or side and top menus.

To navigate the site, click on the map; use the tabs at the top to find Cities by A-Z or by Country, how to comply, and retrofitting details. This text also gives many links you can use to navigate the site.

Alternatively use the left hand menu to find out what are LEZs, and do why they exit, get an overview of LEZs, or use our 'Quick Guide'.

The ‘Quick Guide’ gives an overview table with all LEZs by country/city or start date, showing the most important facts at a single glance (emissions standard, vehicles, dates) and a link to full information. It also allows you to search LEZs by vehicle type affected: coach, lorry, camper van, van, car and motorcycle.

Overview of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) in Europe

LEZs are implemented to improve air quality, and help meet the EU health-based air quality limits, particularly of particulate matter (PM₁₀, PM_2.5 and also Black Carbon) and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂). Poor air quality kills over 310000 people in Europe each year - more than by road accidents – with human health costs of between €427 and €790 billion per year.

Which vehicles are affected?

The following table gives a summary by vehicles affected:

Vehicle type	LEZs	Vehicle standard 2011	Future standard
Lorries only	Netherlands	Euro 4(PM)	Euro 4 (1/7/13)
	Austrian A12 motorway	Euro 2/3
	Mont Blanc Tunnel, FR/IT	Euro 1
Heavy Duty Vehicles	London, UK	Euro 3(PM)	Euro 4(PM) (3/1/12)
	Denmark	Fit filter if <Euro 4
	Sweden	8 years old / Euro 3
	Prague, CZ	Euro 2
All 4+ wheelers	Germany	Euro 2-4(PM) & Euro 1 petrol
All vehicles	Italy	Euro 1-3 / no 2-stroke motorcycles
Local buses under agreements	Norwich, UK	Euro 3(NOx)
Local buses under agreements	Oxford, UK	None	Euro V (1/1/13)
Vans	London, UK	None	Euro 3 (3/1/12)
	Germany	Euro 2-4(PM) & Euro 1 petrol
	taly	Euro 1-3 / no 2-stroke motorcycles

Operating hours: Most LEZs operate permanently, the exemption is Italy, where LEZs sometimes operate at peak or other selected times.

Do I have to register before entering? In Germany and Sweden you will need to buy a sticker. Danish vehicles need to purchase a sticker for the Danish LEZs, foreign vehicles need to carry proof of the vehicle emissions standard. Foreign vehicles are required to register with London’s LEZ (as the national database does not include their details). Entry to the Prague LEZ is by permit. Some Italian LEZs require stickers, and you need to pay to enter the Milan Ecopass area. In many cases registration is possible by Internet or post. More information on registering can be found on our 'Where do I need to register' page.

Other LEZs are enforced with cameras reading the vehicle number plates (Netherlands, London), or by police controlling the vehicle papers (Italy, A12, Mont Blanc Tunnel), or local agreements (Norwich, Oxford (UK)).

LEZs are also called Environment Zones, or in a selection of European languages: Umweltzonen, Fahrverbote, Milieuzones, Lavutslippssone, Norway, Miljozone, Miljözon, Zielone Strefy, Nízkoemisní Zóny, ZAPA (Zone d'Action Prioritaire pour l'Air, zone environnementale), Zona de Bajas Emisiones.

LEZs currently exist in 8 countries, Germany, the Netherlands, the UK, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Austria, the Czech Republic. They are also in planning in other countries.

If your vehicle does not meet the emission standards required, you can buy a newer vehicle, use a different vehicle, or modify your vehicle's engine, for example by fitting a diesel particulate filter. You can find more about the different options from our how to comply page.

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Retrofitting - Diesel particulate filter

Article Index
Retrofitting
Diesel particulate filter
Overview of retrofitting in different countries
Fitting a replacement, cleaner engine
Conversion to an alternative fuel
Finding a certified filter
Which retrofit is valid where?
Links to national certification information
All Pages

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Diesel particulate filter

A diesel particulate filter (also known as DPF or particulate trap, or referred to as “pollution abatement device”) is a device that reduces the diesel particulate matter or soot from the exhaust gas of a diesel engine. They can be fitted to vehicles in the factory, or once they have been on the road (retrofitted).

In summary, they are a filter where exhaust gas pass through, and the particulate matter is traped within the filter. There are two main types of filter:

1. A ‘full’ DPF, which will reduce particulate emissions between 85% and 99%. They are also very effective at reducing emissions of the very smallest particulates which are of greatest concern to health. These are the best air quality option to choose if possible. They do however take some maintenance, and are generally only available for heavy duty vehicles such as lorries and buses.
2. A ‘partial’ filter, which reduces emissions between around 30% and 50%. They tend not to reduce emissions of the smallest particles as effectively as for the larger particles, but need no maintenance eand are available for light duty vehicles such as cars.

If you decide to fit a filter, it is important to get one that is correctly chosen both for your vehicle and vehicle usage, and is certified as meeting the emissions requirements of the LEZ(s) you wish to travel in. In some countries, both types of filter (full and partial) are certified. It is also important when fitting a DPF that you get one that is correctly chosen both for your vehicle and vehicle usage – the company or agency providing or fitting your filter should be able to advise you.

In general, where the LEZ enforces against foriegn vehicles, the authorities will accept the particulate trap certification from the country where the vehicle is registered. If there is no retrofit LEZ certification in your own country, then any existing retrofit certification or national recognition is recommended. In the absence of both of these we would suggest that a particulate filter is chosen that is valid in the country you are travelling to, with a certification from the manufacturer.

In many countries there are also financial incentives to support the retofitting of particulate filters.

Further information on particulate traps can be found from the following external sites:

The US particulate trap association (MECA)
Transport for London's website has some useful case studies at the bottom of this page
A detailed article on DPFs

There is also a training course on particulate filters on the 19th and 20th January 2009 in Munich. More details can be found from the brochure to download.

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