Governments have been urged to get tough with older diesel vehicles and encourage the move to newer and cleaner models.
In an open letter to EU policy makers, representatives of the automotive and petroleum refining industry in Europe committed to keep pushing the technical boundaries continuously reduced emissions.
Presidents of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, the Association for Emissions Control by Catalyst, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers and FuelsEurope, representing the European Petroleum Refining Industry, signed the letter to the European Commission, European Parliament and Council.
Pointing out that political measures restricting the rollout of the new generation of diesel technology would undermine existing efforts to cut CO2 emissions, the associations called on policy makers to help accelerate fleet renewal and the introduction of the cleanest vehicles.
“Fleet renewal offers the most effective way to improve air quality. As older cars and trucks are replaced by newer models, emissions from road transport will fall as the latest emission-reducing technologies enter the market,” said the letter.
“With a common EU policy framework that encourages the more rapid adoption of the latest low-emissions technologies, but taking into account necessary industry lead-time, we will help improve air quality in real driving conditions, while at the same time continuing to meet current CO2 targets.”
