Latest-generation diesel cars are emitting less NOx than current and future emissions thresholds and can play a key role for cities looking to meet air compliance targets, backed by fleet renewal policies.

All 270 diesel vehicle types were below the RDE NOx threshold when tested on the road

That’s according to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA), backed by data on 270 new types of diesel cars.

The vehicles were type-approved against the latest Euro-6d-Temp standard, which kicked in for type approvals in September 2017 and becomes mandatory for new cars from September 2019.

The ACEA tests found that all the Euro 6d-Temp type-approved cars performed well below the NOx threshold of the real driving emissions (RDE) test, which applies to all new car types since September 2017, while most of these vehicles show results that are below the stricter NOx threshold that will be mandatory from January 2020.

Erik Jonnaert, ACEA secretary general, said: “These new findings prove that modern diesel cars, supported by fleet renewal policies and combined with alternative powertrains, will play a strong role in helping cities move towards compliance with air quality targets. In parallel, diesel vehicles will continue to remain important for reducing CO2 emissions in the short and medium term, even though all manufacturers are expanding their offer of electrically-chargeable cars.”

Jonnaert added: “Auto makers have made major investments to quickly deliver these massive reductions in NOx emissions. It is important that we stop demonising diesel technology as a whole. Instead, we need to differentiate between the old diesel fleet and the latest generation of vehicles.”