2024-08-04 23:39:51
German Transport Minister Volker Vissing is warning the European Commission that millions of diesel vehicles may have to be phased out. Proceedings at the Court of Justice of the European Communities (ECJ) and a possible new interpretation of compliance with the limit values of pollutants. In a letter, Vissing called on the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, for clarification.
According to EU legislation, pollutant levels must be met under the so-called NEDC test conditions. This happens stationary in test centers.
The EU Commission has now taken the view that pollutant limit values will apply beyond “operating and environmental conditions” and indeed to any driving situation. This would mean that the limits would also have to be respected during so-called “full-load driving” on a slope – that is, when the car is driven on a hill, when it is fully charged and the engine reaches its maximum possible power.
“This cannot be implemented based on the current state of technology and would therefore be an unfeasible requirement for cars currently on the road,” Vissing stressed in the letter.
All diesel cars with Euro 5 category engines will be questioned. The consequences for cars that meet the Euro 6 emissions standard may also be affected. “Millions of vehicles are at risk of being taken out of service,” German Minister Wissing said. In Germany alone, 4.3 million Euro 5 and possibly 3.9 million Euro 6 diesels will be affected if the EU does not change the regulation.
For diesel cars, the Euro 5 eco-standard is for cars manufactured from September 1, 2009 to September 1, 2014.