In 2016, 35 million cars equipped with a diesel engine emitting more than three times the nitrogen oxide thresholds were driven on European roads, according to a study.
The “Dieselgate”? Lots of noise, no consequences. Not even the beginning of the beginning of a thrill, of a movement against the most polluting cars. On the contrary: the European market for “dirty diesel” engines (dirty diesels) is doing particularly well, according to an analysis by Transport & Environment.
The NGO, whose reports are closely scrutinized by the European Commission, has closely studied the circulation of cars equipped with diesel engines on the Old Continent. The qualifier “dirty” refers to engines stamped Euro 5 and Euro 6 whose nitrogen oxide emissions exceed at least three times the standards set by Europe.
Six million more on the road
However, according to the Transport & Environment study, 35 million cars equipped with such an engine circulated on European roads in 2016. This represents a surplus of six million cars in circulation compared to the previous year.
Germany is the country in which the increase in the circulation of “dirty diesel” seems the most convincing, with 6.5 million additional cars on its roads. The United Kingdom, Italy and Spain are following suit.
“No effective action”
Twenty months after the scandal of cheating on diesel engines, targeting first Volkswagen and then many other manufacturers, no lever seems to have made it possible to stem the circulation of these highly polluting cars.
“There was no effective action, such as recall or withdrawal of approval, on these engines which continue to pollute the air in urban areas with impunity,” note the rapporteurs. In fact, their number is increasing every day and more and more of these polluting models are being sold ”.
7,000 premature deaths
According to a study published in the journal Nature and mentioned in the work of the NGO, excessive exceedances of nitrogen oxide thresholds are the cause of 7,000 premature deaths in Europe in 2015. Overall, nitrogen oxide emissions are responsible for 70,000 deaths per year, according to scientific estimates.
The authors denounce the “inaction of Europe”, considered “shocking”, while across the Atlantic, measures have been introduced to eliminate these engines. “The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has severely punished Volkswagen and is now suing the FCA (Fiat Chryseler Automobiles) group, they point out. But the Dieselgate scandal, still ongoing in Europe, highlighted the inability or unwillingness of the 28 national automotive regulators to effectively tackle industry breaches and deceptions. “
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