After the whole VW scandal, automakers such as General Motors, BMW, Toyota, and yes, even VW, are asking for some leniency when it comes to the amount of nitrogen oxide their cars can emit. They are requesting for there to be as 70% increase in the amount their cars can emit. Previously, European policy has allowed for there to be a 30% increase in nitrogen oxide.
Under this new plan, cars will not only be tested in labs, but also on the road, which is a first. The automakers are claiming that their cars cannot meet regulations once their cars are taken out of the labs and put into practical use. These new types of tests have been under development for months, preceding the VW scandal.
European lawmakers are not amused, saying these automakers haven't learned anything from the recent scandal and that they have no right to request leniency.
Do you think the lawmakers will relent and change the amount of nitrogen oxide these cars can emit? Will these new "practical" tests be successful, or will the automakers cry foul, saying the tests aren't reliable?
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/03/business/automakers-ask-europe-for-leniency-in-emissions-testing.html?ref=business&_r=0
8 comments:
I think this could be good for the auto industry in an attempt to create more environmentally friendly vehicles. With these new testing procedures, I feel that it will ultimately force the industry to transform their structure in regards to exhaust emissions, which would be for the better. I don't think they should be given more leniency towards how much carbon dioxide their cars can emit, if anything the regulations need to be stricter.
I agree with all of your points. I'm just interested to see whether this new emissions testing on the road will produce different results than what are produced in the traditional environment. I think with the VW scandal, governments, and maybe even car companies, will become stricter on the emissions. I guess we'll have to see what happens in the coming months.
I don't think that a road emission test could be possible. In addition if they were to start, the results could do unknown harm on the environment if the automotive companies are able to get an increase in the amount of NO they are able to admit into the atmosphere. Though I understand their requests are justified, as the US has done road tests with tractor trailers in the past, I agree with Francois Cuenot, an air quality officer at Transport and Environment, that the industry is in no position to make any requests, that they did not learn from the Volkswagen case.
I think that the VW scandal has brought about a lot of controversy in many different areas. While I do not think that these automakers have any right to ask for the emissions regulations to be less strict, I do not think these changes will be a lasting norm. Especially in the US, the percentage of our GDP we use for environmental purposes is quite small compared to other countries. This leads me to think that we are very behind in going green and preserving the environment. While we like to say that we as a country care about the environment the numbers tell a different story. I think that for now this will be in the forefront of the news, but it will eventually subside and automakers will return to how they were doing business before while being watched with a little closer eye, but not to the point of rethinking the whole automotive industry.
This puts heavy pressure on the auto industry. I would suggest, if I was a law maker, to warn the auto industry of the future changes and allow for one to two more years of just lab testing to allow the car industry time to develop more efficient vehicles. This gives them leniency without taking away the idea of road testing.
It is ironic that automakers are asking for more leniency in the amount of nitrogen oxide the cars can emit in spite of the recent VW news. From a consumer standpoint, I would not be more inclined to purchase a car that contributes to harming the environment, especially now that consumers are on the edge with automakers after the VW scandal. There would clearly be public uproar if lawmakers made a quick and rash decision to allow the increase in these fumes being pumped into the air. Under a government that is "concerned" with climate change and environmental issues, it would be hypocritical to implement such laws.
On the other hand, I favor the idea of testing the cars in the lab, as well as the road. This way, something that seems idealistic in the lab, but is not actually practical can be shut down before it is too late. I would also think that it would give consumers more security in their purchase choice, because of the fact that the cars have been tested in multiple various environments.
I agree with many of the points made above. There would be a public uproar if the government allowed for this increase in emissions especially because of the recent scandal. Like Ashley mentioned the US does not spend much money in going green and protecting the environment so I believe in maybe a year the lawmakers will change the amount of nitrogen oxide cars will be able to emit, but they will have to wait long enough for the public to not be watching anymore. It might turn out that the new tests will be more practical and lead to better tests for the automakers.
I also think it is not necessary to have leniency in emissions testing since it is not good for environment. The auto industry just need more time to improve their technology . Also I think government really needs to support auto industry and offer finds if it is necessary.
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