Is this the death of Diesel? #EmissionsScandal

“Fuel of the Future”

Once promised as the fuel of the future, a more energy–dense and efficient fuel than petrol, boasting better fuel economy for drivers and, ultimately, a lower running cost. However Less than a month after VW admitted its diesel vehicles in the US have cheated in emissions tests, could this be the death of diesel?

Diesel promised environmental benefits with lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions which during the environmental panic in the 90s, spurred diesel adoption. Cars with diesel engines soared from 14% of new cars sold in 2000, to over 50% sold in 2014, today there are around 11million diesel vehicles on Britain’s roads. In 1993, The Independent newspaper labelled diesel as an ‘ultra–economical, environmentally friendly, extremely quiet (fuel)’ and ‘bright spot’ of the motoring industry.

The fuels rise was encouraged by the governments new tax regime in 2001 with new vehicle tax rates based on how much CO2 they emitted.

Fast forward to today, less than a month after VW admitted its diesel vehicles in the US cheated in emissions tests, could this be the death of diesel? According to analysts it could and it’s not the introduction of electric cars that has led to its downfall.

The impact of these changes along with other perks for business that bought diesel vehicles, was undoubtedly rapid, but it has now been proven that none of the promises of diesel turned out to be true.

Public Health Crisis

Pre–announcement of the Volkswagen scandal, Jenny Bates, Friends of the Earth, London Campaigner, claimed a diesel was a ‘Public Health Crisis’ stating ‘that in real world driving the emissions produced by diesel vehicles are actually much worse than petrol.’

CO2 emissions of diesel and petrol cars are almost identical in real world testing, diesel pumps out high levels of deadly particles and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Particles that can cause cancer, NO2 has been linked with health conditions like asthma, bronchitis, increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and growth problems in babies.

Comparing a diesel and a petrol engine, diesel produces around 15% less CO2, but pumps out four times more NO2 and 22 times as many deadly particles (particulate).

According to Public Health England– the government’s scientific researcher that monitors issues of public health, particulate air pollution is responsible for 29,000 deaths per year, making diesel a bigger killer than smoking in the UK. The Parliaments Environmental Audit select committee also described the situation as a ‘public health crisis.’

Since the emissions scandal it has raised environmentalists’ hopes that diesel power could die out as consumers become aware of the environmental and health risks of fuel.

The Future

Volkswagens core passenger car unit have announced a significant overhaul of its diesel strategy following the emissions scandal, and unveiled plans to accelerate development of electric cars.

The German carmaker have since said it’s ‘diesel vehicles will only be equipped with exhaust emissions systems that use the best environmental technology.’

However, in Britain and across Europe there are signs that the tax regime that has supported diesel for so long is starting to change. London is set to introduce an Ultra–Low Emission Zone from September 2020, with drivers of basically every diesel car on the road today being forced to pay an additional £12.50 charge to enter the city. Other British cities are expected to introduce similar schemes. The London Borough of Islington has introduced an additional £96 for a parking permit with a diesel car and Hackney council is set to introduce a £50 surcharge from 2017.

In Paris the Major has pledged to ban all diesel cars, with a rule already in place that stops the worst–offending diesel vehicles from entering the city.

What is the solution?

Regenerative Brakes

Stop…start…stop…start

If you’re daily commute involves driving in city traffic, you will be all too familiar with this habit, you will also know that it can be a huge waste of time for you and energy for your vehicle. It takes a big input of power to get a vehicle moving, and every time you hit the brakes, all the energy you have built up disappears and is wasted in the brake pads, in the form of heat.

Regenerative brakes enables the vehicle to store its energy and reuse it next time you accelerate. These brakes are widely used in electric trains, electric cars and F1 cars.

Electric Revolution

Electric cars and plug in hybrids are already fast becoming a desirable choice in keeping you mobile– with more and more manufacturers adding electric and plug in options to their range, making availability and choice unlimited for consumers and joining the electric revolution a more realistic mobility solution, than previously perceived.

Whether it’s a personal or business investment the benefits of joining the electric revolution are now more prevalent than ever. There are 334 charge points now available in Northern Ireland with more coming soon and grants to support the installation of a charging point at your home or office.