It has been a bad week for German car makers and it could get worse over coming months. German prosecutors this week widened an emissions cheating probe into Volkswagen’s luxury carmaker Audi and Chief Executive Rupert Stadler is among suspects accused of fraud and false advertising. In 2015,Volkswagen admitted falsifying U.S. diesel emissions tests. Munich public prosecutor’s office said it … [Read more...]
Tradelines 6 June
The government is awarding £25 million this week to as many as six projects that will research and test autonomous vehicles on highways and on trials of remote-control parking. It's the second competition in a program that Richard Harrington, the UK's automotive minister, predicts will lead to driverless cars in production within the next decade. German media report transport minister … [Read more...]
Parcel fleets essential to EV drive
Success with parcel delivery fleets is going to be “essential” to the success of electric vans, says Arval. Simon Cook, LCV Leader, said that electric commercial vehicles closely fitted the operational profile of these fleets and should become a key part of their future. He said, “The current limitations of ECVs – which surround range and weight of payload – do not really apply to parcel … [Read more...]
Throttling back truck emissions
The European Commission has proposed for the first time binding EU emission standards for trucks. The proposal contains a reduction of CO2 emissions from trucks by 15% in 2025 against a 2019 baseline and at least 30% in 2030. The parameter recognises payload and mileage and is expressed as the number of grams CO2 per tonne kilometre (g/tkm). A fine of 50€ per g/tkm will be imposed on … [Read more...]
EU to fine UK for dirty air and diesel-gate
Britain faces a multi-million pound EU fine for failing to act over diesel-gate and high NO2 emissions. The UK and five other EU member states must pay fines and on-going penalties for breaches of air quality, revealed T&E. It was adjudged breaking NO2 limits and allowing car makers to get away with selling illegally polluting cars, while others states did the same or were found with … [Read more...]
Truck safety in spotlight this week
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association has called for a stronger focus on active safety technologies, to prevent accidents happening. The vehicle makers are putting their views out to scrutiny ahead of the EC’s new proposals last this week for vehicle safety measures, which the industry believe will be less effective, increase pollution and congestion as well as running … [Read more...]
Switch from diesel is increasing CO2, reports show
Last year saw two new and related trends in EU car registrations: an increase in CO2 emissions coupled with a rise in petrol sales, said the European Environment Agency and the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association. According to the figures published by the EEA , average CO2 emissions from new cars went up by 0.4% to 118.5g/km in 2017. In 17 EU member states emissions were higher … [Read more...]
Government is clouding diesel issue and hurting sales
Consumers need to be given better quality information about diesel cars including from the Government and inconsistencies in Government policy needed to be removed to repair damage done to the new car market. That’s the opinion of Glenn Sturley, chairman of the Vehicle Remarking Association, who said, “The messages about diesel that the Government has given out in the last year or so are, at … [Read more...]
Tradelines 25 April
Expensive new registration taxes take effect this month hitting the highest polluting cars. The Lamborghini Aventador has the highest level of CO2 emissions at 394 g/km but 74 car models over 14 makes will pay the top road tax rate of £2,070, says the Motorway.co.uk car valuation site. The iconic MG badge will take pride of place following a significant £500,000 investment in the company’s … [Read more...]
Newslines 24 April
Almost three quarters of motorway incidents related to tyre failure could be prevented if drivers carry out simple checks, according Highways England and tyre company Bridgestone. More than 30 people were killed or seriously injured in motorway accidents in 2016 due to illegal or faulty tyres but an 18-month study says commuters, commercial drivers and other road users can do a lot more to help … [Read more...]