Half of new ‘clean’ diesel cars would fail latest emissions tests
MORE than half of the new generation of ‘clean’ diesel cars would fail the latest pollution tests, according to a report.
An investigation using car manufacturers’ own data found the most recent models emit up to three times the amount of harmful nitrogen oxides allowed under limits introduced by Brussels last September.
Some of these cars only arrived in the showrooms a few months before the new regime came into force.
The report by Unearthed – the investigative arm of Greenpeace – looked at emissions figures for 94 cars. Of these, 48 breached emissions limits.
Greenpeace said it undermined car makers’ claims that they are producing the ‘cleanest diesels in history’ and accused firms of ‘knowingly misleading their customers and the public’.
But the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which represents the UK automotive industry, said it was ‘false and inaccurate’ to claim that car makers were breaching emissions rules.
Tougher emissions tests were introduced after the 2015 Volkswagen ‘dieselgate’ scandal, where the German car giant admitted installing software in cars to cheat tests.
The new nitrogen oxide limits – around double the previous maximum levels – came into force in September 2017. The cars analysed were all approved for sale between April 2016 and September 2017, meaning they just escaped the tough new limits.
According to the report, the ‘dirtiest’ new diesel was the 1.6 litre Fiat Tipo. Under the latest ‘Euro 6’ standards, cars are only approved if they emit less than 168mg per kilometre of nitrogen oxides – or NOx.
The Fiat Tipo produces 561mg/km – three times the new limit. It was followed by another small car, the Renault Scenic Energy dCi 95, which produced 396mg/km.
Paul Morozzo, of Greenpeace, said: ‘They’re still dirty and still putting peoples’ health at risk.’ But SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: ‘New cars on sale today are the cleanest in history and fully compliant with EU emissions standards.’