Influence of Fuel-And Pollutant Emission Legislation on the Development of Si-Engine in Europe

In the last 12 years, the emission constituents limited in the ECE-regulations have been reduced by as much as 50%, at the same time the fuel consumption has been reduced by more than 20%. In some European countries the introduction of unleaded gasoline and the tightening of the pollutant emission legislation is now being discussed. The technology of the 3-way-catalyst used in the USA attains the lowest pollutant emission level, leads, however, to higher fuel consumption and additional production costs. In addition, this technology is not compatible with the different gasoline lead contents used in Europe. Exhaust gas recirculation systems with and without oxidation catalysts or lean mixture concepts with homogenious and nonhomogenious mixture formation are being discussed as alternative concepts for controlling pollutant emissions.