Renewed complaints in the VW exhaust scandal

 

 

 

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

 

 

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October 3, 2019