Shocking Revelations About Diesel Cars!
Wednesday, 27. February 2019
Latest testing that has been carried out by German automobile club ADAC has shown that some diesel cars emit almost no NOx, during on-road testing – suggesting the latest models are as clean, if not cleaner than their petrol counterparts.
So has this been a conspiracy all along? A way for local authorities and the Government to screw diesel car drivers out of money after following Government advice and taking a diesel car then taxing them to the hilt based on flawed information?
In fact the latest diesel engines emit significantly less nitrous oxide (NOx) than the upcoming Real Driving Emissions 2 (RDE2) regulations will require, according to this new research.
Following stringent testing by ADAC they have discovered that some diesel cars emit almost no NOx, during their on-road testing – suggesting the latest models are not just as clean as their petrol counterparts – but cleaner!.
In January 2020, tougher RDE2 rules will be introduced, requiring all new models (not existing models) launched to achieve 80mg/km or less (60mg/km for petrol). This will be a part of Euro 6d.
A conformity factor for the on-road test will be allowed, meaning the actual limit is 114mg/km for diesels and 86mg/km for petrols – significantly higher than any of the vehicles tested by ADAC.
In January 2021, all cars sold (including current models) must achieve the more stringent figures. The conformity factor will be removed by 2023.
Current rules (RDE) require diesel cars to emit no more than 168mg/km of NOx, but the worst performing car tested by ADAC – the Honda Civic diesel – emitted just 101mg/km. Following the WLTP re-homologation exercise that took place in 2018, the introduction of RDE2 will require all car makers to re-test their entire model ranges with an on-road test.
Nearly all the cars tested by ADAC emitted less than 50mg/km and the Mercedes C220d had no NOx emissions at all. The Volkswagen Golf diesel performed exactly the same as the petrol version, emitting 14mg/km of NOx. The best performing petrol car, a Suzuki Ignis 1.2, emitted 3mg/km.
ADAC performed the tests using a portable emissions measurement device (PEMS), in the same way as the official test. Under the current company car tax rules, diesel vehicles that achieve RDE2 will not require the 4% diesel surcharge to be included in a drivers benefit-in-kind tax.
Currently, only the Mercedes A220d and B200d have been officially tested and approved under the regulations. Jaguar has confirmed that the XF range will feature RDE2 approved engines by the end of the year.
Diesel car NOx emissions, as tested by ADAC:
| Model | RDE: NO x in mg / km |
| Audi A8 50 TDI | 15 |
| BMW 520d Steptronic | 5 |
| BMW 520d Touring | 1 |
| BMW X2 xDrive 20d | 23 |
| Citroen Berlingo BlueHDI 130 | 7 |
| Honda Civic 1.6 i-DTEC | 101 |
| Kia Ceed 1.6 CRDi | 22 |
| Mercedes A 180 d | 40 |
| Mercedes C 220 d | 0 |
| Opel Astra 1.6 D | 1 |
| Peugeot 308 SW BlueHDi 180 | 30 |
| Volvo XC60 D5 AWD | 56 |
| VW Golf 1.6 TDI SCR | 14 |
Petrol car NOx emissions, as tested by ADAC:
| Model | RDE: NO x in mg / km |
| BMW 218i Active Tourer | 8 |
| BMW 230i Coupe | 10 |
| Hyundai i20 1.0 T-GDI | 4 |
| Kia Ceed 1.4 T-GDI | 10 |
| Mercedes-Benz A 200 DCT | 9 |
| Renault Megane TCe140 | 15 |
| Suzuki Ignis 1.2 | 3 |
| Suzuki Swift 1.2 AWD | 4 |
| Suzuki Swift Sport 1.4 | 9 |
| Volvo XC40 T5 AWD AT8 | 9 |
| VW Golf 1.5 TSI | 14 |
| VW Golf 1.5 TSI BM DSG | 4 |
| VW up! GTI | 9 |
No doubt like me when I learned of the German tests I found it shocking. How many company car drivers are paying more in BIK tax than they should be and how many people are turning to petrol cars kicking out ozone destroying CO2 in the belief that they are better for the environment?
It’s a disgrace! By Graham Hill
