A great deal has changed recently in the motor
industry for the better with the promotion of electric vehicles
which considerably reduce toxic pollution and global warming gas
CO2. The latter is
now true given increasing levels of decarbonisation of the
electricity grid.
In terms of homologation standards, the new WLTP test cycle is
closer than the NEDC test cycle but still falls short of how
vehicles are operated in "real world" conditions. For example,
acceleration levels for WLTP are still too mild so true
emissions caused by more realistic acceleration levels are not
captured.
However, the legacy of past wrongdoing continues in the courts
in terms of certain auto companies circumventing laws governing
emissions standards, the standards themselves also being
inappropriate and open to abuse. Companies' producing products
such as motor vehicles have a moral duty of care in matters of
health and safety and it is right that compensation is given to
customers buying such products which are defective.
The value of such vehicles has fallen and drivers may be
uncomfortable using them now knowing how damaging the emissions
of these vehicles are.
Keith Pullen PhD, DIC, FIMechE, CEng Royal Academy of
Engineering Enterprise Fellow Professor of Energy Systems,
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics City,
University of London
Photo (c) Kulturexpress, Release: Ida Junker, PPOOL, Paris