Diesel has been labelled by some as a “quick fix” to reduce Carbon dioxide output, and while its true substantially less of the greenhouse gas is produced by new diesels, studies show that they generate as much as four times more NOx and 22 times more particulates than petrol cars.
There are new reports a BMW X3 diesel sport utility vehicle also flunked “real world” emissions test, exceeding European Union standards by a dastardly 11 times.
In a statement following the report, BMW officials denied any wrongdoing and said there is no part of the X3 system that would differentiate road and laboratory testing. We observe the legal requirements in each country and fulfill all local testing requirements.
BMW is the second vehicle company to be swept into the emissions standards scandal that has embroiled Volkswagen this week, and led to the resignation of the company’s CEO.
To be sure, while Volkswagen intentionally misled regulators by installing the so-called “defeat device” on diesel vehicles, it’s far from clear whether BMW or other automakers have used similarly deceptive software. We are contacting the ICCT and asking for clarification of the test they carried out.
The latest developments on the Volkswagen emissions scandal.
The worldwide Council on Clean Transportation conducted other tests involving BMW vehicles.
“All measured data suggest that this is not a VW-specific issue”, ICCT managing director Peter Mock was quoted by the magazine as saying.
Germany’s motor vehicle administration “will concentrate its investigations not only on the Volkswagen models in question but will also do spot checks of other auto manufacturers”, Transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt told reporters in Berlin.
Volkswagen’s admitted thwarting of Environmental Protection Agency regulations is threatening to ensnare BMW.
‘Volkswagen needs a fresh start – also in terms of personnel.
BMW fell to as low as 72.05 euros in the sharpest intraday decline since August 2011, and was trading down 6.8 per cent at 74.40 euros at 2:20 p.m.in Frankfurt.
It now needs a chief executive to steer it through the hard terrain ahead. The European test for vehicle emissions is supposedly even more stringent and better-overseen than the American one, but the fact is that you can, nearly literally, drive a coach and horses through the loopholes in the test.
Three men appear to have emerged as candidates.
Herbert Diess, 56, a defector from rival maker BMW who is now head of the VW brand and has a reputation as a cost-killer, has been mooted as possible candidate.