The war on diesel cars is just beginning with the European manufacturers stating their concern over the upcoming EU regulation that will change the way diesel car emissions are measured.
More specifically, the new regulation will demand diesel automobiles sold in the EU to be emission-tested on roads rather than in labs, starting in September 2017.
The voices against the laboratory tests are growing for the past few months, criticizing their accuracy in showing the true level of dangerous emissions coming from diesel cars. Cities like Paris and London are already planning new measures to ban or limit the use of diesel-powered vehicles in their premises with the French capital wanting to forbid them completely by 2020.
The new regulation will introduce an all-new Real Driving Emissions (RDE) test which will require manufacturers to make major changes in testing and developing new vehicles.
The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) has acknowledged the need to change in order to better measure NOx emissions but in order to accomplish the new regulation by September 2017, the European Commission must deliver the full details of the RDE regulation by June-July 2015.
Mr Jonnaert, Secretary General of ACEA said: “ACEA calls on the Commission to urgently deliver a complete proposal for Real Driving Emissions by June or July at the latest for a positive decision in the regulatory committee. We need to make more progress on clarifying all testing conditions to ensure a robust RDE regulation could commence from September 2017. Automobile manufacturers remain concerned about the piecemeal approach the Commission is taking in preparing this proposal. This is not smart regulation. We need clarity in advance so that we can plan the development and design of vehicles in line with the new requirements.”
Diesel vehicles are currently accounting for almost half of new-car sales in Europe, mostly because of their better fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. Diesel engines emit though higher levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulates which have been known to cause health problems like lung disease, asthma and even cancer.
PHOTO GALLERY
