Tighter Global Vehicle Emissions Standards Coming, Along With On-Road Testing

A sea change is brewing in Europe's light-vehicle emissions testing, with automakers realizing that some of their smallest-displacement engines can't meet coming stricter standards for carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions that will also apply to North America.

According to a Reuters new agency report, the new European rules will stipulate on-road emissions testing, rather than using rollers in a laboratory setting that make it easier for cars to comply with the current standards.

This development mostly affects tiny two- and three-cylinder engines with low or sub-1.0L displacements found in many subcompacts and superminis not sold in North America. But all cars will have to comply with on-road nitrogen oxide testing by 2019, and by 2021, fuel consumption and carbon dioxide will be tested the same way, under a new global standard.

Turbocharging was thrust into the spotlight a few years ago as a way to squeeze more power out of smaller-displacement engines that would use less fuel than larger, naturally-aspirated engines, while matching their performance.

It's possible that could force automakers competing in the North American market to change what engines they offer here, particularly in models also sold overseas. We'll be curious to see whether engines like Ford's 1.0L EcoBoost turbo three-cylinder -- currently the smallest forced-induction engine available in North America -- can meet the new rules, along with other small-displacement turbocharged engines used in larger vehicles, like the Mazda CX-9's new 2.3L turbo four-cylinder.