Germany expects hardware changes to fight diesel pollution

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According to Germany's Der Spiegel on Saturday, the government wants carmakers to offer modifications to engines and exhaust systems of some models of diesel car in order to combat pollution.

Experts and civil servants of the German transport ministry agreed that this should take place in lieu of a ban on diesel cars in some cities. The move would be a break with a less costly software-only overhaul agreed just months ago.

Logo of German carmakers /Hindustan Times Photo

In August, German politicians and car bosses agreed to overhaul engine software on 5.3 million diesel cars to cut pollution and try to repair the industry’s battered reputation. Politicians stopped short of demanding more expensive hardware adaptations.

Environmentalists have said that agreement, which comes two years after Volkswagen admitted to cheating US diesel emissions tests, was too little, too late, and have vowed to press ahead with legal action aimed at banning polluting vehicles.

The German carmakers would incentivize consumers to trade in diesel cars that were 10 years old and older for newer models with lower emissions. /AFP Photo

The German transport ministry was not immediately available for comment.

Source(s): Reuters