Auto industry needs ‘realistic’ emissions tests – ACEA

LONDON (ICIS)–The European automobile industry needs a “robust but realistic” real driving emissions (RDE) system for the sector to remain competitive and to avoid some diesel models being forced out of the market, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) said on Monday.

Following Volkswagen’s emissions testing manipulation, the EU said in September it would introduce ‘Real Driving Emission’ (RDE) tests for vehicles from 2016 onwards.

The RDE procedure would complement laboratory-based tests to check that emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), and at a later stage also particle numbers (PN), measured during the laboratory testing are confirmed in real driving conditions, as well as helping detect whether cars are equipped with “defeat devices” that allow them to pass conventional tests.

The export-intensive German automobile industry is waiting to see the extent of the Volkswagen crisis and how many manufacturers could be affected.

“The automobile industry agrees with the need for emissions to more closely reflect real-world conditions, and has been calling for proposals for years. ACEA supports a robust but realistic RDE package that will address the key environmental issues under a two-step approach,” said the ACEA.

According to the trade group, the need for RDE Step 1 from September 2017 has always been clear, but it also stressed the “need for a timeline and testing conditions that take into account the technical and economic realities” of today’s automobile markets.

ACEA’s secretary general, Erik Jonnaert, said diesel will remain a “key pillar” to achieve a reduction in emissions, adding “clarity and predictability” would create confidence among manufacturers to continue investing in Europe.

“Without realistic timeframes and conditions, some diesel models could effectively become unaffordable, forcing manufacturers to withdraw them from sale. This could have repercussions upon consumer choice as well as employment in the wider automotive sector,” said ACEA.

“This will affect not only passenger cars but also lighter commercial vehicles, where diesel is presently the technology of choice for operators.”

The automotive industry is a major global consumer of petrochemicals which contribute more than a third of the raw material costs of an average vehicle. ICIS tracks the movement of petrochemical raw material costs in auto production both globally and regionally with the weighted ICIS Basket of Automotive Petrochemicals (IBAP).

ICIS has launched a Global Automotive report covering the major automotive chemicals markets, and auto-industry and macroeconomic trends. For more information on the report and details on how to subscribe, please email automotive@icis.com.