Germany Ponders Tougher Diesel Emission Rules
Germany’s transport ministry says it is considering “effective measures” to lower diesel engine emissions, including a new organization to test vehicles, Reuters reports.
#regulations
Germany’s transport ministry says it is considering “effective measures” to lower diesel engine emissions, including a new organization to test vehicles, Reuters reports.
Europe’s largest markets are being pressured by the European Commission to monitor vehicle emissions more closely. But carmakers are lobbying for a conservative approach. Der Spiegel describes the ministry’s resulting efforts “unambitious.” The agency dismisses the weekly news magazine’s report “wrong.”
Carmakers already are allowed to use software that shuts off emission controls under certain circumstances that might damage the engine. Critics claim that some manufacturers have abused that allowance by disabling pollution systems during normal driving conditions.
Der Spiegel says the government is contemplating a rule that would permit shutoffs to occur whenever the ambient temperature falls below 10°C (50°F). Reuters notes that Germany's annualized average temperature last year was 9.4°C (40°F).
RELATED CONTENT
-
Honda to Make Hybrids in Thailand
Honda Motor Co. is preparing to launch production in Thailand of hybrid cars and the batteries that help power them.
-
On Electric Pickups, Flying Taxis, and Auto Industry Transformation
Ford goes for vertical integration, DENSO and Honeywell take to the skies, how suppliers feel about their customers, how vehicle customers feel about shopping, and insights from a software exec
-
On Ford Maverick, Toyota Tundra Hybrid, and GM's Factory Footprint
GM is transforming its approach to the auto market—and its factories. Ford builds a small truck for the urban market. Toyota builds a full-size pickup and uses a hybrid instead of a diesel. And Faurecia thinks that hydrogen is where the industry is going.