Diesel tax perks should be slashed, says new study

(EurActiv, 8 May 2019) Emission-testing results show that diesel cars can emit more carbon dioxide and are more expensive than their petrol counterparts, according to a new study released on Wednesday (8 May) by the organisation that lifted the lid on the Dieselgate scandal.

Research by the International Council on Clean Transport (ICCT) has concluded that medium-sized diesel cars produce more CO2 under both laboratory and real-world testing conditions, despite common perception that they are the cleaner option.

Tests involved two versions of the same Volkswagen Golf and were undertaken using both the New European Driving Cycle (NEC) method and its successor, the Worldwide harmonised Light vehicles Test Procedure (WLTP).

The VW Golf was chosen as the test vehicle “with a focus on comparability from the consumer’s point of view” and because of its popularity in the C-size or medium-sized segment of cars.

Diesel emissions were 124 g/km under the NEDC and 139 g/km of CO2 under the WLTP, which is considered to be a far more accurate method. Meanwhile, the petrol car only emitted 109 g/km and 126 g/km, respectively.

On-road tests and driver feedback also confirmed the same trend, according to the study’s authors.

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EurActiv, 8 May 2019: Diesel tax perks should be slashed, says new study