Simon Bailes, CEO of Simon Bailes Peugeot, is calling for a clearer commentary of diesel emission standards, following a misleading industry report.
New research conducted by the TRUE Initiative, which includes the International Council on Clean Transportation, FIA Foundation, Global NCAP, Transport & Environment and C40 Cities, concludes that the newest and cleanest low emission vehicles are failing to meet the current EU standards.
However, data used in the report was collected between 2011 and 2017, meaning that Euro 6 compliant vehicles, the regulation applied to new cars sold since September 2015, were not included in the findings and the on-road performance of the cars was not taken into consideration.
The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), of which Peugeot is a member of, found that Euro 6 diesel cars do in fact emit low pollutant emissions on the road, under the new Real Driving Emissions (RDE) test. All of Simon Bailes Peugeot’s diesel vehicles fall into the Euro 6 diesel category.
During an RDE test, a car is driven on public roads over a wide range of conditions using portable measuring equipment. The RDE test accompanies the current Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) lab test, to confirm that pollutant emission levels measured during lab tests are confirmed on the road while the motorist is driving.
Simon Bailes said: “Erik Jonnaert, Secretary General of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, is right to say that the findings of the study are misleading for consumers. All of our diesel cars fall under the Euro 6 diesel emission category, and it is important for our customers to know that their vehicles are meeting the required European standards.
“Steps are being taken to ensure that diesel cars are improving and are on the right track to reach future CO2 targets. Going forward, this needs to be reflected and industry bodies must be clearer in their reporting for both manufacturers, and consumers buying cars.”