Diesel cars emit low emissions

New data released by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) provides evidence that latest-generation diesel cars emit low pollutant emissions on the road.

This data was measured in real-driving conditions by the drivers of the various national type approval authorities.

Some 270 new types of diesel cars type-approved against the latest Euro 6d-TEMP standard were introduced on the European market over the past year. The new data shows that all of these diesel cars performed well below the NOx threshold of the real driving emissions (RDE) test, which applies to all new car types since September 2017.

What is more, already most of these vehicles show results that are below the stricter NOx threshold that will be mandatory from January 2020.

RDE measures key pollutants, such as NOx and particles, emitted by cars while driven on public roads over a wide range of conditions. RDE therefore ensures that pollutant emission levels measured during the laboratory test (WLTP) are confirmed on the road, and that the legal thresholds are not exceeded during day-to-day driving.

Erik Jonnaert, ACEA secretary general, said, ‘These new findings prove that modern diesel cars, supported by fleet renewal policies and combined with alternative powertrains, will play a strong role in helping cities move towards compliance with air quality targets. In parallel, diesel vehicles will continue to remain important for reducing CO2 emissions in the short and medium term, even though all manufacturers are expanding their offer of electrically-chargeable cars.’