Network
May 27th 2015
Latest Euro 6 diesel car emissions ‘still above limit’
Real-world driving tests of the latest Euro 6 diesel cars show they are still more than three times above the EU legal limit for air pollution emissions, according to Emissions Analytics
Real-world driving tests of the latest Euro 6 compliant diesel cars show they are still more than three times above the EU legal limit for air pollution emissions, according to data compiled by UK company Emissions Analytics.
Emissions Analytics said NOx emissions from newer diesel engines had improved but were still above limits
The UK motor-industry is currently counting down the final months until the all new cars registered in Europe have to meet Euro 6 emissions standards (see AirQualityNews.com story), but these EU regulations are currently assessed through laboratory testing rather than based on real-world driving on roads.
And, while the Winchester-based emissions testing firm said that results of its on-road testing of the latest Euro 6 diesel engines showed an improvement on the previous Euro 5-compliant vehicles, the results are still “mixed” and do not in the real world meet EU legal limits for nitrogen oxides (NOx).
According to Emissions Analytics, which claims to have real-world data on more than 350 diesel cars, the latest Euro 6 diesels show “marked improvements” in NOx emissions, but are still more than three times the legislated limit of 0.08g/km.
Earlier Euro 6 vehicles, meanwhile, produced levels of NOx in the real world 7.1 times this legal limit on average, bringing the overall average variance of all Euro 6 diesel cars tested so far to 4.4 times above the legislated limit.
The firm said there was therefore still a “sizeable challenge ahead” to reduce emissions from diesel cars, and that its testing had found a “particularly striking” variance between model types, with manufacturers employing different approaches to reducing emissions.
Nick Molden, chief executive of Emissions Analytics, said:
“Our data on the very latest Euro 6 diesels shows an improvement on Euro 5 of 49%. We believe the manufacturers, anticipating this legislative change, have really stepped up their game and the results are encouraging, although still mixed.”
Real-world tests
Last week (May 20), European Commission proposals for real-world driving emissions tests were approved, which are likely to replace current laboratory testing — generally thought to be less accurate reflection of emissions levels — from September 2017 (see AirQualityNews.com story).
This move was welcomed by Emissions Analytics as a “first step in ensuring a marked reduction in NOx emissions”.
Mr Molden added: “We think this is a good decision by the Commission and member states. Emissions Analytics started testing tailpipe emissions on the road four years ago as we identified this was the only way to truly understand real-world performance. It is good to see this is now being recognised in the legislation.”
It is not the first time Emissions Analytics has highlighted “issues with diesels”, although it has also previously stated its agreement with the UK motor industry that diesel engines have been disproportionately ‘demonised’ over their contribution to air pollution (see AirQualityNews.com story).