Diesel cars are 10 times more toxic than trucks and buses, data shows

(6 Jan 2017) Stricter EU emissions testing for large vehicles means modern diesel cars produce 10 times more NOx per litre of fuel.

Modern diesel cars produce 10 times more toxic air pollution than heavy trucks and buses, new European data has revealed.

The stark difference in emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) is due to the much stricter testing applied to large vehicles in the EU, according to the researchers behind a new report. They say the same strict measures must be applied to cars.

NOx pollution is responsible for tens of thousands of early deaths across Europe , with the UK suffering a particularly high toll. Much of the pollution is produced by diesel cars, which on the road emit about six times more than allowed in the official lab-based tests. Following the Volkswagen “dieselgate” scandal, the car tests are due to be toughened, but campaigners say the reforms do not go far enough.

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, 6 Jan 2017: Diesel cars are 10 times more toxic than trucks and buses, data shows