Ford is the latest manufacturer to offer an incentive of up to £2,000 off list prices of certain models until the end of the year in a scrappage scheme aimed at cars and vans over seven years old. It covers both petrol and diesel models from 2010 or earlier, and the move is being seen as an attempt to clean up emissions while also boosting sales of new models after a steep decline since spring. … [Read more...]
Piston engines’ future narrows
In recent months Britain, France and India all have announced plans to gradually phase out gasoline- and diesel-powered engines, and other countries are heading in the same direction. The moves, which aim to curb air pollution and tailpipe emissions linked to global climate change, seem to signal a death knell for internal combustion engines (ICEs). But the process will take time—India’s … [Read more...]
Older buses face biggest challenge over NO2 emissions
For a number of local authorities, the UK plan for tackling roadside NO2 concentrations presents a significant challenge, requiring them to improve poor air quality as quickly as possible. Whilst the latest ultra-clean Euro VI buses and advanced electrified options comfortably meet clean emission requirements, a significant majority of the older, existing bus fleet are seen as being a … [Read more...]
Bigger tax bills coming with new emissions tests
Motorists are facing a tax shock when new emissions tests kick in from the end of this month. From 1 September this year, a new test for measuring emissions from cars, called WLTP (abbreviated from Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure) will apply to all new car models introduced on the European market for the first time. One year later, from September 2018, the lab test will be … [Read more...]
Good & bad diesels confusion
The motor industry needs to invest in educating used car buyers about the differences between “good” and “bad” diesels when it comes to emissions, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association. At last week’s meeting of the trade organisation – which represents companies that are involved in remarketing more than 1.5 million vehicles every year – there was a detailed discussion of the topic … [Read more...]
Tradelines 2 August
The UK’s first Centre of Excellence for low carbon technologies will manage the National Chargepoint Registry (NCR), working in partnership with green energy software systems specialist Apetrel Systems and funded by the UK government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles. The upgrades to the NCR will help to ensure that the information on chargepoints in the UK is accurate and up-to-date, and will … [Read more...]
‘Dirty’ cities want history brushed under carpet
Nine EU Member States have asked the European Commission for permission to pollute above national limits set in EU law. Austria, Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland, France, Ireland and Luxembourg have all asked for the limits that should have been met in 2015 to be raised so that they no longer appear to have breached them. The European Union’s National Emission Ceilings Directive … [Read more...]
UK to ban conventional cars and vans by 2040
The Government has unveiled controversial plans to ban pure petrol and diesel engined vehicles from UK roads by 2040. It follows failure to meet European clean air legislation and a High Court decision that requires an environmental strategy to be put forward. The plan was discussed before the general election but publication was delayed because of fears it would affect voting by people in … [Read more...]
BEN charity looking to future needs
Ben, the not-for-profit organisation that partners with the automotive industry to provide support for life to its people, has launched a survey to seek valuable insights from industry people which will help shape future services. The feedback will also enable the organisation to ensure its health and wellbeing services remain relevant to those working in the industry which, in turn, will help … [Read more...]
Newslines 25 July
SEAT sees diesel giving way to compressed natural gas as a fuel. The chief executive of the Spanish Volkswagen division, Luca de Meo, believes customers needed “a sensible solution” to overcome any issues and falling diesel sales, he told magazine Automibilwoche. Porsche will decide at the end of the decade whether its latest generation of diesel engines will be its last, Chief Executive … [Read more...]