There is a growing problem for car makers attempting to work to the new WLTP emissions test as the September deadline looms, says JATO. The international business intelligence service has carried out its own emissions analysis and concludes the perceived and real gap between the old and forthcoming test figures is bigger than first thought. Only about 20% of new cars can meet the new … [Read more...]
EC asked to ignore UK failure over emissions
Britain has failed to meet strict standards on air pollution but has now asked the EC to ignore that and wants the limit raised. It was the failure to meet EC agreed emissions limits which led to green groups taking the Government to court and winning and which has led to Welsh Government being forced to introduce lower speed limits on the M4 and A55. It the pollution limit is now raised … [Read more...]
Brexit bombshell for business, say car makers
A no-deal Brexit is not an option for Britain’s car industry, the car makers' have warned. Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said carmakers were “increasingly concerned” about the lack of clarity around departure from the European Union. With less than eight months until the divorce is due to take place, Prime Minister Theresa May has yet to find … [Read more...]
EC say car makers are manipulating tests to save investments
European Commission scientists have uncovered evidence of carmakers manipulating the results of a new test for CO2 emissions, show documents obtained by Transport & Environment. Less than three years after the Dieselgate NOx emissions scandal, the car industry is now inflating its CO2/fuel economy results, which could reduce the stringency of its 2025 CO2 targets by more than half as the … [Read more...]
Newslines 21 July
New Vietnamese car company, VinFast, is developing its range of world-class vehicles at an all-new state-of-the-art plant in northern Vietnam. Spearheading the company’s launch, a SUV and a sedan – both developed by Pininfarina – will be given their public debut at the Paris Motor Show in October 2018 while VinFast is developing other vehicles and planning to export in coming years. A … [Read more...]
DfT faces £180M BREXIT bill over 4 years
The Department for Transport is planning to spend £180M on BREXIT planning over the next four years. It is making a determined effort to ensure the UK transport system is fully prepared for EU Exit, however the challenge ahead is complex and there is a considerable amount to achieve to ensure the best outcome for UK passengers and road users beyond March 2019, the National Audit Office said … [Read more...]
Car makers win fight to water-down emissions law
European car makers have successfully lobbied for a watering down of tougher emissions law, says green group Transport & Environment. MEPs of the European Parliament's transport committee voted in favour of a non-binding opinion supporting the weak Commission proposal on emissions cuts from new cars and vans. Transport & Environment regrets the votes as the Commission proposal will … [Read more...]
Technology brakes are failing road safety casualties
The EU looks set to fail on reaching its targets to halve the numbers of those killed in road crashes by the end of the decade, with the UK one of several countries currently making no major progress into cutting the numbers of people killed on our roads, IAM RoadSmart has discovered. In its report this week ‘Ranking EU Progress on Road Safety’ the European Transport Safety Council noted there … [Read more...]
EU has unrealistic goals for EVs, say car makers
Ahead of next week’s European Parliament votes on future CO2 targets for cars and vans, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association says the severe lack and unbalanced distribution of charging points is putting off consumers buying electric cars. A new study provides a much-needed reality check for the Parliament, showing that the CO2 targets proposed by some MEPs are simply … [Read more...]
FTA wants clarity not confusion before BREXIT
Britain's Government must explain and take steps to keep the nation's trade moving efficiently post-Brexit or face delays and shortages of the products and services the UK relies on. That’s the stark warning from the Keep Britain Trading conference in London, organised by the Freight Transport Association. Leigh Pomlett, the organisation's President said, "The time for political … [Read more...]