The Society of Motor Manufacturer and Traders (SMMT) has launched a nationwide consumer campaign to raise awareness about the latest low-emission technologies and challenge the increasing ‘demonisation’ of diesel.
The campaign comes after consumer research revealed widespread confusion about diesel technology.
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According to a YouGov poll, 87% of UK adults said they were are unaware of the latest Euro-6 vehicle emission technology, while 54% thought cars and commercial vehicles were the biggest cause of air pollution in the UK.
The SMMT claimed that the biggest contributors of nitrogen oxides (NOx) in the country were power stations. Only one in five (19%) respondents to the poll cited power stations as the main source of air pollution.
The society calculated that it would take 42m Euro-6 diesel cars – almost four times the number on UK roads – to generate the same amount of NOx as one UK coal-fired power station.
From 1 September 2015, all new cars must meet the new Euro-6 emissions standard. This standard is an update from the 2011 Euro-5 standard and will reduce the cap for certain pollutants, including NOx.
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By GlobalDataThe poll found almost three quarters (72%) of motorists were against penalties for the UK’s cleanest diesels.
"This is of particular concern given the recent decisions by some local authorities in London to charge diesel-owning residents more to park outside their homes. Some local councils are imposing surcharges based on a vehicle’s Euro Standard rating; others are imposing penalties regardless of their performance," the SMMT said.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "Today’s diesel engines are the cleanest ever, and the culmination of billions of pounds of investment by manufacturers to improve air quality. Bans and parking taxes on diesel vehicles therefore make no sense from an environmental point of view.
"We need to avoid penalising one vehicle technology over another and instead encourage the uptake of the latest low emission vehicles by consumers. The allegations against diesel cars made in recent months threaten to misguide policy making and undermine public confidence in diesel. It’s time to put the record straight."
