Diesel not a dirty word, says SMMT

12th March 2015

The Society for Motor Manufacturers & Traders has called on the Government and local councils to recognise the role modern diesel vehicles can play in reducing emissions – and do more to support their adoption.

UK manufacturers have already invested billions of pounds in advanced diesel technology to meet the latest Euro-6 emissions standard, the SMMT says.  New diesel vehicles have filters that capture 99% of harmful soot particulates, while exhaust after-treatments can drastically reduce emissions of Nitrogen Oxides.

However, less than three-quarters of commercial vehicles and just a fifth of buses registered in the UK last year were fitted with it.

At last month’s SMMT-hosted conference, Improving Air Quality: the Commercial Vehicle Contribution, it was argued that the take-up of Euro-6 vans could be accelerated by introducing scrappage grants for older vans when buying Euro 6 vehicles, and by local authorities requiring contractors to use cleaner-engined vans when working on council projects, ahead of new legislation which takes effect in September next year.

“Industry shares public concerns about air quality, and is responding by investing billions of pounds in advanced diesel commercial vehicles that are 95% cleaner than their predecessors,” SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said.  “However, while modern technology can make a vital contribution to cleaning up the air we all breathe, it cannot do the job on its own.

“The key now is uptake.  It’s time to stop demonising diesel.  Government and local councils must work with industry and operators to encourage widespread adoption of the latest diesel technology that has the potential to make a dramatic improvement to air quality.”