The diesel crisis increases emissions from new vehicles for the second consecutive year

Emissions from new cars marketed in Europe increased in 2018 for the second year in a row. According to provisional data published this week by the European Environment Agency (EEA), passenger cars reached, on average, 120.4 grams of _CO2 per kilometer, that is, two grams more. Commercial vehicles, on the other hand, also increased their emissions, also by two grams of _CO2 per kilometer, to 158.1.

Car emissions rebounded in 2017 after a full six-year decline. Between 2010 and 2016 they were reduced by 22 grams of _CO2 per kilometer, to increase by 0.4 grams the following year. Commercial vehicles, meanwhile, had been cutting their emissions since 2011, with a sharp increase over the past year.

The EEA highlights, among other reasons, the increase in sales of gasoline vehicles, which emit more _CO2, due to the collapse of diesel as a result of the “Dieselgate” scandal. Diesel model registrations fell 18% last year, accounting for only 36% of sales, according to consultancy Jato Dynamics.

The EEA also lists the rise in sales of larger, heavier and more polluting SUV models, and the low level of sales of electric models. The agency points to the same problems in the case of commercial vehicles, where the share of gasoline increased to 3.6% in 2018 and sales of alternative models stagnated.

Next year, a new and demanding emissions target for commercial vehicles in Europe will come into force, which will not be able to exceed 147 g _CO2/km. A year later, in 2021, it will affect passenger cars, where the level of emissions of each vehicle and manufacturer will not be able to exceed 95 grams of _CO2 so as not to be exposed to heavy fines. A scenario that, as warned by the employers of manufacturers ACEA in a statement, “is a serious risk in view of these results, which also make it difficult to meet the objectives for 2025 and 2030.”

For its part, the NGO Transport & Environment accused manufacturers of “deliberately postponing” the sale of electric and hybrid models and promoting that of SUV models, which have more profit margin but whose emissions are around, on average, 133 grams of CO₂ compared to the 120 of a tourism to use.

Source: ABC