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Could the Volkswagen Cheating Scandal Improve Emissions Standards? (citiesofthefuture.eu)

Posted by samzenpus on from the on-the-bright-side dept.

dkatana writes: An article in Cities of the Future suggests that the "automaker's emissions scandal could end up being a boon if it pushes governments and the industry to reassess diesel's impact more honestly and move away from it altogether." The article also asks the European Union to accelerate the introduction of new emissions standards, currently slated to take effect in September 2018, and to order mandatory recalls for all the vehicles affected, as Germany has. It points out that some drivers could refuse to have their cars "fixed" out of fear that the diesel engine will lose gas efficiency and power output.

9 of 144 comments (clear)

  1. Predestiny? by msauve · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "automaker's emissions scandal could end up being a boon if it pushes governments and the industry to reassess diesel's impact more honestly and move away from it altogether."

    So, the author has already decided on what the result should be, without the benefit of the reassessment they've said should happen. That doesn't seem "honest" to me.

    --
    "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
    1. Re:Predestiny? by bobbied · · Score: 4, Interesting

      To be honest, diesel is dirtier than gasoline no matter how you slice it. It's just really hard to keep diesel emissions down and we've not been pushing the technology to do so as hard as gasoline engines. European governments have pushed diesel use in the past though favorable treatment in tax codes, not necessarily trying to get more diesel cars, but more to permute diesel's use as a transportation fuel.

      I think the article writer is engaged in some wishful thinking though and you are correct that the author is certainly biased. But I also see where it could be read as advocating for regulatory changes which seem long over due in Europe. It's an opinion piece, not a news report....

      --
      "File to fit, pound to insert, paint to match" - Aircraft Maintenance 101
    2. Re:Predestiny? by dbc · · Score: 3, Insightful

      But diesels can meet emission standards honestly if auto makers include a urea tank. They just fear consumer reaction to having another consumable fluid (that needs to be refilled every 9 thousand miles, or so) and don't want to do the heavy lifting of consumer education. Considering we are a lot closer to a renewable biodiesel fuel than other fuels, it seems like it makes a lot of sense. Of course, that begs the secondary question of whether farm land should be used to grow food or to grow fuel for cars, but that is a secondary debate.

  2. No, emission standard will not get better by bobbied · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Of course, emission TESTING standards might get improved in ways that can catch cheaters faster...

    --
    "File to fit, pound to insert, paint to match" - Aircraft Maintenance 101
    1. Re:No, emission standard will not get better by Thelasko · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Of course, emission TESTING standards might get improved in ways that can catch cheaters faster...

      Absolutely! The fact that an automaker cheated says the standards are strict. The fact they got a way with it as long as they did says the system lacks proper verification.

      --
      One of our competitors trademarked the term "hypothesis". From now on, we will call them "boneheaded ideas".
  3. It will probably tighten up standards... by Irate+Engineer · · Score: 3, Funny

    It will probably tighten up standards so tight that bicyclists will have to have an emissions probe stuck up their backside annually to see if they are contributing to global warming.

    May want to skip the beans for dinner for a while...

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  4. Never Ban a Technology by Thelasko · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Once you ban a technology, you are also banning any development on it. It may have some undesirable effects now. Ban those effects. If the technology is worthwhile, someone will figure out a way to solve the problems.

    Also, just because there is one bad egg doesn't mean an entire technology is bad.

    --
    One of our competitors trademarked the term "hypothesis". From now on, we will call them "boneheaded ideas".
  5. Vehicles WILL be fixed by flightmaker · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Over here in the UK for example, every vehicle has to have an MOT certificate to be used on the road. No certificate, no go. ANPRS cameras check that passing vehicles have certificates and insurance.

    Part of the MOT certificate is the emissions test. There will most likely be a requirement that VW diesels have to have their ECU firmware updated before they can pass the emissions test.

    That's what I reckon will happen.

  6. Re:Refuse to license by zlives · · Score: 3, Insightful

    actually its a claim for fraud and owners should return the cars and get their money back.