A page one story in The Times shows the size of the battle confronting diesel car supporters.
Talking about the Government's (regrettable) delay in bringing forward its plan to curb older diesel vehicles, the newspaper criticises the delay of the proposals "even though they would prevent thousands of lives being cut short by toxic emissions from diesel vehicles."
That's a shocking overstatement, if you ask me. These are proposals, remember. We don't even yet know what's in them. And even if they eliminate every toxic automotive molecule at a stroke, most of today's toxic molecules will go on being produced tomorrow - from industry, home heating, aviation, shipping and the rest.
As a professional hack, I'd be ashamed to have such an shocking piece of unsubstantiated sub-tabloid nonsense attached to my name. It comes straight from the so-it's-okay-if-children-die-is-it-sir? school of argument, where truth takes a back seat.
Here is the truth: late model diesel cars and vans are responsible for a tiny proportion of our nation's total toxic emissions, and (despite blips presented as catastrophes) they're in decline. Our progress towards electrification - rightly desired by all - depends on continuing profitability of existing cars for the medium-term.
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Will86
But how will those late model diesels perform in 5+ years time?
scrap
Well said. But Cropley sides
AddyT
And what about if it's not
scrap
Diesel will be around for a
Bishop
Never ...
I agree that there are far too many broad, sweeping statements made about diesel emissions in the current public debate, but that's very often the case, no matter what the subject of public debate (ref. Brexit, for example). It's hard to have sympathy with some makers about the fall out from this, those who decided it was worth it to actively deceive the market (it's hard to believe it was VW alone), but the press did not help matters by promulgating the term 'Dieselgate' to describe the affair of the VW Group 'cheat devices' which meant the whole industry got dragged into the 'scandal' from the outset.
Big Jeff
???
This isn't about the total of national automotive toxic emissions.
Get dirty diesel out of our towns and cities ASAP.
typos1
I think your comment is just
XXXX just went POP.
Bristolbluemanc
Pollution
Marc
Perhaps changing what
Thekrankis
Diesel may be OK (ish) when new....
Particulates are emitted by all cars - even electric ones - a major source of nano particles is dust from tyres and brakes.
Cracking down on dirty older diesels is a good first step. Then the government needs to punish filthy domestic wood and coal burners and oil fired boilers.
Heavy fuel oil powered boats are a major factor in pollution around ports too.
Don't forget aircraft emissions around airports.
ALL these things need to be tackled as a priority.
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