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Germany considers national plan to cut diesel emissions

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Germany is considerin­g “effective measures” to cut pollution from diesel engines, the transport ministry said yesterday, reacting to a media report saying planned goals were unambitiou­s.

German magazine Der Spiegel reported that, after pressure from the auto industry, Berlin was planning to allow car makers to shut off emission control technology once outside temperatur­es fall below 10 degrees. Germany’s annual average temperatur­e was 9.4 degrees in 2016. The transport ministry said that no decisions had been taken though discussion­s were continuing.”The reporting by Spiegel is wrong,” it added.

Germany is working on a national plan to cut pollution from diesel engines and set up a new organisati­on to test vehicles to try to restore consumer confidence after Volkswagen’s emissions scandal.

The moves come as the government faces growing pressure ahead of national elections in September to reduce emissions or see some cities ban diesel cars themselves.

Last month, the transport ministry and the environmen­t ministry announced the creation of a “national diesel forum” to work with the auto industry and regional government­s to cut emissions, with the first meeting set for August 2.

The German auto industry hopes a plan under discussion with the government to reduce pollution from older diesel cars will avert planned bans in German cities that are deterring consumers from buying diesel cars.

Government sources have said that software updates to reduce emissions could cost €1.5 billion to €2.5bn, but HSBC analysts said hardware might be needed that could mean costs of up to 1€0bn.

Sales of diesel cars have been falling since the Volkswagen scandal, but have dropped even faster since cities, including Stuttgart and Munich, have considered banning some diesel vehicles, blaming emissions for increased respirator­y disease.

European government­s had in the past promoted diesel cars as part of efforts to fight climate change as they produce less carbon dioxide than petrol cars, although environmen­tal groups have cast doubt over how much less they produce and have focused instead on the levels of toxic nitrogen oxides they emit.

 ?? Patrick Fallon/Bloomberg ?? Sales of diesel cars have been falling since the Volkswagen scandal but have dropped faster as cities including Stuttgart mull banning some diesel vehicles
Patrick Fallon/Bloomberg Sales of diesel cars have been falling since the Volkswagen scandal but have dropped faster as cities including Stuttgart mull banning some diesel vehicles

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